Propulsion Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5 Hardware

Frontdoor Defense; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee stock purchase plan

Disability and life insurance

Job summary

SpaceX Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Propulsion Technician (Starship) at Level 4/5 to lead fabrication and testing of propulsion components for Starship and Super Heavy. The position emphasizes laser welding, mechanical assembly, and pressure testing in a fast-paced environment.

As a technician you will ensure build quality, troubleshoot with engineers, and help update work instructions to improve reliability and safety while collaborating with cross‑functional teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 6+ years in fabrication, manufacturing/assembly, or testing.
• Experience with laser welding and propulsion hardware is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality Starship and Super Heavy components via laser welding, assembly and pressure testing.
• Collaborate with engineering and leadership to meet component delivery rate reliably.
• Maintain a safe, neat work area and update tooling, processes and PPE to eliminate hazards.
• Follow procedures, specifications and test instructions, reporting daily progress.
• Troubleshoot failure modes with engineering and propose design/process improvements.
• Grow expertise across products and mentor peers in a fast-growing environment.

Skills

Fabrication

Manufacturing

Testing

Laser welding

Mechanical assembly

Pressure testing

Aerospace experience

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Laser welding system

Pressure testing equipment

Job description

Propulsion Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5

Lead fabrication and testing of propulsion components for Starship and Super Heavy systems

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $36 - 51 USD / hour

About The Role

SpaceX Propulsion Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

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 utilisation 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
• 6+ 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
• 5+ years of aerospace component testing experience
• 5+ years of experience working on aircrafts, rocket engines, or high performance cars
• 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) or 2nd shift hours (3:30 PM - 2:00 AM), overtime, and weekends as needed
• Able to lift at least 30 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to stoop, bend, crawl, and manoeuvre in tight spaces

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay Range: Level 4: $36.00 - $43.00 Level 5: $41.00 - $51.00

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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR Requirements:

• 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 authorisations 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, colour, 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 affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].