Satellite Production Technician & Equipment Operator

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

Job summary

Xona Space in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Production Technician & Equipment Operator to support repeated production assembly and integration of spacecraft components. The role focuses on operating machines, performing vibration, thermal, and environmental tests, and ensuring IPC/assembly standards are met while collaborating with engineering and quality teams.

Candidates bring 5+ years in mechanical or electrical assembly and experience with production equipment; IPC/IPC standards knowledge is

Qualifications

• 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, deployment fixtures, vibration/shock/thermal cycling 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 schematics, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions with basic GD&T understanding
• High level of teamwork, clear communication and collaboration
• Comfort working with sensitive electronics and small mechanical parts
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment
• Bonus: IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001; IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnessing)

Responsibilities

• 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

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Electrical assembly

Production equipment operation

Schematic interpretation

Tools

Hand tools

Torque tools

PCB test equipment

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

DC power supplies

Job description

Xona Space in Burlingame, CA is seeking a Production Technician & Equipment Operator to support repeated production assembly and integration of spacecraft components. The role focuses on operating machines, performing vibration, thermal, and environmental tests, and ensuring IPC/assembly standards are met while collaborating with engineering and quality teams.

Candidates bring 5+ years in mechanical or electrical assembly and experience with production equipment; IPC/IPC standards knowledge is