Propulsion Technician (Starship)

Spacex; Hawthorne (CA); Hybrid; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k)

Health, vision & dental insurance

Paid vacation & holidays

Job summary

SpaceX in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Propulsion Technician (Starship) to build and test propulsion components for Starship and Super Heavy. You will perform laser welding, mechanical assembly, and pressure testing while collaborating with engineers to ensure on-time delivery.

You will maintain a safe workspace, follow procedures, and help optimize tooling and processes. Growth opportunity includes advanced testing and cross-product responsibilities in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency
• 1+ years in fabrication/manufacturing/assembly or testing
• Experience in weld preparation
• Lean manufacturing knowledge
• Strong attention to detail and safety awareness
• Ability to communicate with engineering and production teams

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality components for Starship and Super Heavy using laser welding and mechanical assembly
• Collaborate with engineering to maintain reliable component delivery
• Maintain a safe, organized work area and update processes to reduce hazards
• Follow procedures and report daily work completion to peers and leadership
• Troubleshoot failures with engineering and propose design/instruction improvements
• Expand skillset across products and train peers in a fast-growing environment

Skills

Welding

Mechanical assembly

Pressure testing

Troubleshooting

Safety

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Laser welding machine

Testing equipment

Pneumatic systems

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

PROPULSION TECHNICIAN (STARSHIP)

The Propulsion Components team develops the most advanced spacecraft and launch vehicle components in the world. Our technicians serve as hardware build and test experts for a variety of compensator designs that are integrated into both Starship and Super Heavy Booster propulsion systems. This position will include laser welding components, mechanical assembly, and pressure testing large components in a fast paced environment.

As a technician, you will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of build quality, ensuring tests are being run correctly, and interfacing directly with engineers on the floor. Technicians in this role will be capable of understanding component functionality to be able to assist in troubleshooting or recognizing potential hazards/issues before they occur and helping to update work instructions/processes to reduce future issues and increase personnel safety.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver state-of-the-art, high-quality components for Starship and Super Heavy. Utilize your laser welding skills with our automated laser welding machine, and be part of the mechanical assembly and pressure testing process
• Collaborate with engineering and leadership to achieve SpaceX’s component delivery rate in a reliable manner
• Maintain a safe, professional, and neat work area. Recommend changes to tooling, equipment, training, processes, and personal protective equipment to eliminate safety hazards
• Set the standard for a rigorous and efficient technician team by operating with high efficiency and utilization across a broad mix of products. Perform work according to procedures, specifications and test instructions, and communicate daily work completion to report to peers/leadership
• Troubleshoot failure modes and work directly with engineering to solve technical problems. Provide recommendations to design/instructions/process to improve reliability, manufacturability, or rate of components
• Grow your skillset (seal installation, assembly, laser welding, pneumatic pressure testing, etc.) and expertise across products while training peers in a fast-growing environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of experience working in a fabrication, manufacturing/assembly, or testing role

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in weld preparation
• Trained in assembly or testing of propulsion, aviation or automotive hardware
• A&P license
• Lean manufacturing (5S) knowledge and experience
• High attention to detail in order to ensure safety and accuracy of testing procedures
• Experience with pressure/temperature/flow measurement devices and mechanical/pneumatic systems
• 3+ years of aerospace component testing experience
• Strong mathematical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Basic computer experience
• Experience effectively communicating (verbal and written) with engineering and production teams at all levels of the business
• Experience working autonomously or as part of a team to achieve inspiring production goals
• High pressure testing knowledge

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to work 1st shift hours (5:00 AM - 3:30 PM), overtime, and weekends as neede
• Able to lift at least 30 lbs. unassisted

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

• Level 1: $23.00 - $27.00/hour
• Level 2: $26.00 - $32.50/hour
• Level 3: $31.00 - $38.00/hour

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affi...>