Mechanical Spacecraft Technician (I–III)

Trueanomalyinc; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

True Anomaly is seeking a Mechanical Spacecraft Technician to join our team in assembling, integrating, and testing spacecraft mechanical systems from development to production ramp. You will work with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to build hardware guided by drawings and process documentation.

The role encompasses mechanical assembly, component handling, integration, testing, and troubleshooting in an on-site setting.

Qualifications

• Technical degree, certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent training in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Experience assembling and integrating mechanical structures, mechanisms, brackets, panels, fasteners, or related hardware.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, process sheets, and assembly procedures.
• Experience working in ESD-sensitive, FOD-critical, and cleanroom environments.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Assembly: Build, install, and inspect spacecraft mechanical hardware using drawings and instructions.
• Component Preparation and Handling: Prepare, clean, protect, and handle flight hardware; perform precision assembly operations.
• Spacecraft Integration: Support integration of mechanical subsystems into spacecraft structures and perform fit checks.
• Testing and Validation: Support mechanical functional testing, alignment checks, and environmental tests.
• Inspection and Troubleshooting: Perform inspections and document discrepancies with engineering support.
• Tooling and Ground Support Equipment: Operate and maintain tools and fixtures; help improve tooling.

Skills

Reading drawings

Mechanical assembly

Quality inspection

Documentation

Autonomous teamwork

Education

Technical degree or equivalent training

Tools

Hand tools

Torque tools

Precision measurement equipment

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset.We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.
• What would it take?We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.
• It’s the people.Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

YOUR MISSION

As a Mechanical Spacecraft Technician, you will play a vital role in the assembly,integration, and testing of spacecraft mechanical systems. You will collaborate withengineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to build spacecraft hardware from earlydevelopment through environmental testing, flight readiness, and production ramp. This role may be leveled from Technician I to Technician III based on experience, skills, anddemonstrated proficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mechanical Assembly: Build, install, and inspect spacecraft mechanical hardware—including primary and secondary structures, panels, brackets, payloads, mechanisms, deployables, thermal hardware, fasteners, and support equipment—using engineering drawings, work instructions, and process documentation.
• Component Preparation and Handling: Prepare, clean, protect, and handle flight and flight-like hardware. Perform precision assembly operations including torqueing, safety wiring, staking, bonding, shimming, alignment, and mechanical fastening while maintaining hardware traceability and configuration control.
• Spacecraft Integration: Support the integration of mechanical subsystems and components into spacecraft structures. Install and route hardware, perform fit checks and dimensional inspections, and support closeouts and access panel installation.
• Testing and Validation: Support mechanical functional testing, deployment testing, alignment checks, mass properties measurements, vibration testing, acoustic testing, thermal vacuum testing, and other environmental test activities. Set up test hardware and fixtures, follow approved procedures, and accurately record results.
• Inspection and Troubleshooting: Perform visual, dimensional, and workmanship inspections. Identify and document hardware discrepancies, support nonconformance investigations, and work with engineering and quality teams to resolve assembly and integration issues.
• Tooling and Ground Support Equipment: Operate and maintain hand tools, torque tools, precision measurement equipment, lifting equipment, assembly fixtures, and mechanical ground-support equipment. Support the development and improvement of tooling and work instructions.
• Safety and Compliance: Follow requirements for FOD prevention, ESD control, cleanroom operations, hazardous materials, lifting and handling, contamination control, and safe work around energized and flight hardware.
• Continuous Improvement: Provide feedback on assembly processes, drawings, work instructions, tooling, and manufacturing methods to improve safety, quality, repeatability, and schedule performance.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Technical degree, certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent training in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in spacecraft, aerospace, defense, automotive, precisionmanufacturing, or other high-reliability mechanical assembly environments.
• Experience assembling and integrating mechanical structures, mechanisms, brackets, panels, fasteners, or related hardware.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, processsheets, and assembly procedures.
• Experience using hand tools, torque tools, precision measurement equipment, and mechanical test equipment.
• Experience with mechanical alignment, dimensional inspection, shimming, bonding, staking, or safety wiring.
• Experience working in ESD-sensitive, FOD-critical, and cleanroom environments.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and maintain accurate build, inspection, and
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and work in and around constrained or confined spaces.

LEVELING GUIDANCE

Technician I: Develops proficiency in spacecraft mechanical assembly, hardwarehandling, documentation, and inspection while working under regular guidance. Typicallyhas 0–1 years of relevant experience or equivalent technical training.

Technician II: Independently performs a broad range of mechanical assembly, integration,inspection, and test activities. Troubleshoots common issues and supports processimprovements and peer training. Typically has 1–3 years of relevant experience.

Technician III: Performs complex mechanical assembly, integration, troubleshooting, andtesting with limited supervision. Serves as a technical resource for other technicians andsupports development hardware, environmental testing, flight readiness, and productionramp. Typically has 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent demonstrated proficiency.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Spacecraft or satellite mechanical assembly and integration
• Experience with primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Mechanical mechanisms, deployment systems, hinges, latches, or release devices
• Precision alignment and dimensional inspection
• Torque application, safety wiring, staking, shimming, and mechanical fastening
• Structural bonding, potting, or adhesive application
• Experience supporting vibration, acoustic, thermal vacuum, or other environmentaltesting
• Experience with lifting and handling flight hardware
• Familiarity with GD&T and mechanical inspection practices
• Experience with composite structures, lightweight materials, or additive-manufactured hardware
• Experience using coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, optical tooling, orother alignment equipment
• Relevant certifications in mechanical assembly, rigging, machining, composites, orcleanroom operations

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary:
  • Technician I : $26.50-$36/hr
  • Technician II: $31.50-$41.50/hr
  • Technician III: $36-50.50/hr
  • *this position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—this a fully onsite position based out of our Centennial, CO office.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us.