Production Technician & Equipment Operator

Xona-Space-Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona is seeking a Production Technician & Equipment Operator to support repeat production assembly, integration and test activities for spacecraft in our Burlingame facility. You’ll operate and maintain specialized equipment, perform environmental and thermal cycling tests, and ensure quality through PCB handling and traceable data recording.

You will work with production, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and engineering teams to scale satellite production, optimize procedures, and uphold

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical or electrical assembly.
• 2+ years operating and running production equipment and machines.

Responsibilities

• Set up tooling, fixtures and instrumentation and run repeatable production tests on dedicated equipment (vibration tables, thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, deployment fixtures).
• Assemble and integrate satellite components and subsystems following work instructions.
• Perform PCB handling, inspection to IPC-A-610 criteria, and functional testing.
• Measure, record and document data as part of the assembly process.
• Collaborate with production leads and cross-functional teams (manufacturing engineering, quality, supply chain).
• Support cable routing, thermal insulation, soldering, torque fastener installation, testing and repairs.
• Help optimize assembly and integration process instructions for quality and efficiency.
• Maintain cleanroom-like environment and proper ESD practices.

Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

Xona is looking for a Production Technician & Equipment Operator to support the build, test, and integration of the Xona spacecraft. This role is focused on repeat production assembly, integration and test activities with a focus on operating the various machines and bespoke equipment. Specifically, vibe testing, environmental and thermal cycling testing work stations plus other specific equipment necessary for complete Satellite production.

This person will work directly with the production, manufacturing, quality, supply chain and engineering teams in the newly built satellite production facility.

This is a high impact role in the production team and is vital to the scale-up of repeatable, high quality, production satellites.

What You’ll Do:

• Set up tooling, fixtures and instrumentation and run repeatable production tests on dedicated equipment typically found in spacecraft production: (vibration tables, thermal chambers, TVAC chambers, deployment fixtures, etc.)
• Assemble and integrate satellite components and subsystems, including electrical harnesses and mechanical structures, following digital work instructions and procedures.
• Perform PCB handling, incoming and in-process inspection to IPC-A-610 workmanship criteria, and functional/continuity testing
• Measure, record, test and document specific data as part of the complex assembly process
• Work directly with the production lead(s) and supporting teams, such as manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, supply chain and product engineering
• Support cable routing, thermal insulation application, and other spacecraft-level assembly tasks, such as soldering, bonding, torque-controlled fastener installation, testing, anomaly detection and repair/resolution
• Assist with optimizing, clarifying and evolving the assembly and integration process instructions to support overall quality and build efficiency.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and help maintain a cleanroom-like environment and proper ESD-safe practices during satellite builds

What You Bring:

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical or electrical assembly, preferably in space, aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or electronics industries
• 2+ years of experience operating and running production equipment and machines; environmental chambers, mechanical deployment fixtures, complex lifting equipment, vibration/shock/thermal cycling testing, 3D printers, chamber testing, etc.
• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and PCB test/inspection equipment; multimeters, ohmmeters, DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, and other lab test equipment
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions with basic GD&T understanding
• High level of teamwork, clear communication and collaboration. Able to work with a diverse, talented and multi-disciplinary teams
• Comfort working with sensitive electronics and small mechanical parts
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Bonus: Current or past certification in IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001; IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnessing)

For U.S. Roles:

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles:

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles:

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.