Production Technician & Equipment Operator

Xona Space Systems; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Xona Space Systems in Burlingame, CA, is seeking a Production Technician & Equipment Operator to support the build, test, and integration of spacecraft. You will operate vibration tables, thermal chambers and PCB handling equipment, following detailed work instructions.

This role requires 2+ years in manufacturing, exposure to aerospace environments, strong attention to safety and quality, and the ability to work with cross‑functional teams in a fast-paced facility.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and PCB test/inspection equipment.
• Strong teamwork and clear communication in a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfort with sensitive electronics and small mechanical parts.
• Organized and detail-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work in a ramping production environment with evolving processes.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and 5S/FOD practices.
• Ability to collaborate across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Inventory and Engineering.

Responsibilities

• Set up tooling, fixtures, and instrumentation; run repeatable production tests on dedicated equipment.
• Assemble and integrate satellite components and subsystems following procedures.
• Solder and PCB handling; IPC J-STD-001 workmanship criteria; perform testing.
• Measure, record, test, and document data during assembly.
• Collaborate with Production Supervisor, Line Lead, and support teams.
• Support cable routing, thermal insulation, and other spacecraft assembly tasks.
• Provide feedback to improve instructions, quality, and efficiency.
• Maintain safety, cleanroom, ESD, FOD, and contamination-control practices.
• Support development of standardized production processes for higher volume manufacturing.
• Maintain 5S and FOD standards; keep areas organized and production-ready.
• Identify safety, quality, material, tooling, and schedule issues.

Skills

Teamwork

Clear communication

Electronics handling

Attention to detail

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma/GED

Tools

Vibration tables

Thermal chambers

TVAC chambers

Deployment fixtures

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

DC power supplies

PCB test equipment

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.

Overview

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 workstations plus other specific equipment necessary for complete Satellite production.

This person will work directly with the production, manufacturing, quality, Inventory 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.

• Solder and perform PCB handling, incoming and in-process inspection to IPC J-STD-001 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 Supervisor, Production Line Lead and support teams, such as manufacturing engineering, quality and Inventory

• 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

• Provide feedback to the Manufacturing team on assembly and integration process instructions, identifying opportunities to improve clarity, quality, and build efficiency.

• Adhere to all safety requirements and reinforce proper cleanroom, ESD, FOD, and contamination-control practices throughout satellite production activities.

• Support the development and continuous improvement of standardized production processes as Xona transitions toward higher-volume, repeatable spacecraft manufacturing.

• Maintain strong 5S and FOD standards while helping ensure production areas, equipment, tools, and workstations remain organized and production ready.

• Identify and raise safety, quality, material, tooling, process, and schedule issues that could impact production execution.

What You’ll Bring

• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and PCB test/inspection equipment; multimeters, ohmmeters, DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, and other lab test equipment

• High level of teamwork, clear communication and collaboration. Able to work with a diverse, talented and multi-disciplinary team

• Comfort working with sensitive electronics and small mechanical parts

• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, evolving production environment where processes and systems continue to mature.

• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to safety, quality, accountability, and disciplined execution.

• Ability to work collaboratively across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production Planning, Inventory, and Engineering teams.

Required Qualification

• High school diploma/GED

• Minimum 2+ years of experience operating production, assembly, and test equipment in a manufacturing environment. Experience may include environmental or thermal chambers, mechanical deployment fixtures, complex lifting equipment, vibration and shock testing systems, thermal cycling equipment, 3D printers, or similar specialized production and test equipment.

Preferred

• Previous spacecraft, satellite, aerospace, and other high-reliability electromechanical assembly experience.

• Experience supporting production ramp-up, new product introduction (NPI), or the transition from prototype builds to repeatable manufacturing.

Bonus.

• Current or past certification in IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001; IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnessing)

• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions with basic GD&T understanding

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.