Senior Engineering Technician

Samara Aerospace; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Health insurance

401k

Unlimited PTO

Catered lunch

Education assistance

Holidays

Job summary

Samara Aerospace is seeking a Senior Lab Technician to build our first Hummingbird satellite tech demonstrator. You will lead lab setup, support PCB rework, harness builds, CNC fabrication, hardware assembly, and environmental testing alongside engineers across disciplines.

Within three months you may formalize into Senior Technician/Lab Manager, coordinating new technicians and growth while owning processes for a high-velocity hardware development lab.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience in a hardware lab, production, or integration environment.
• Proficiency in electrical rework, PCB/cable/connector soldering, mechanical assembly, or systems integration.
• Proficiency with hand tools and power tools.
• Experience following and executing formal assembly or test procedures.
• Strong organizational skills; take initiative to keep workspace and team organized.
• Comfortable owning a space and a process, not just a task list.
• Clear communicator; able to interface with engineers and coordinate with peers.
• Self-motivated and reliable in shifting priorities. No degree required.

Responsibilities

• Perform soldering and rework of cables, connectors, and PCB assemblies for prototype and flight hardware builds.
• Mechanical assembly of prototype and spaceflight hardware.
• Support 3D printing operations for prototype parts and ground support equipment.
• Follow and execute assembly and test procedures with precision and attention to detail.
• Own day-to-day lab organization, tool management, and cleanliness.
• Coordinate with engineers during build, debug, and test tasks.

Skills

Electrical rework

PCB soldering

Mechanical assembly

Systems integration

Hand tools

Power tools

Lab safety

Documentation

Ownership

Communication

Education

No degree required

Tools

J-STD-001/IPC

Job description

Samara Aerospace is revolutionizing satellite design by addressing the challenges of deploying and managing large satellite constellations. Our innovative Hummingbird spacecraft bus offers a modular and scalable platform that streamlines satellite production and deployment, significantly reducing launch costs. Hummingbird's compact architecture maximizes launch capacity, making it the most efficient and agile spacecraft in the industry. At the core of our technology is the patented Multifunctional Structures for Attitude Control (MSAC) system. Unlike traditional wheel-based pointing control systems, MSAC utilizes actuators embedded in the hinges of deployable solar panels to provide 3-axis attitude control and active jitter cancellation. This designeliminatesthe need for spinning wheels, reducing mass and potential points of failure, while enhancing pointing precision.

Role:

Samara Aerospace is looking for aSeniorLab Technician to join our teamas we build our first Hummingbird satellite technology demonstrator.As a growing startup, there are opportunities tolead the organization andlayout of the development lab,support PCB rework, harness builds, CNC fabrication, hardware assembly, and environmental testing.You'llwork alongside engineers across mechanical and electrical disciplines while contributing directly to hardware that will fly in space. If you like learning new skills, taking ownership, and doing work that matters,you'llfitrighthere.

Within your first three months, as youestablishyourself anddemonstrateownership, this rolecanbe formalizedintoaSenior Technician/Lab Managerpositionwhere you wouldtakeresponsibility for coordinating and mentoringnewtechnicians as we grow the team. Ifyou'rea hands-on, organized, and self-driven technician who wants to grow into leadership without leaving the hardware behind, this is the role for you.

Responsibilities:

Bench and Technical Work

• Perform solderingand reworkof cables, connectors, and PCB assemblies in support of prototype and flight hardware builds.
• Performmechanical assemblyofprototype andspaceflight hardware.
• Support 3D printing operations for prototype parts and ground support equipment.
• Perform or supportothers in fabricationand assemblyofground support equipment (GSE), test fixtures, assembly jigs, and mass offload systems.
• Follow and execute assembly and test procedures with precision and attention to detail.
• Support integration and test activities across mechanical and electrical disciplinesin a visually clean environment.
• Assistengineers with build, assembly, and test tasks across mechanical and electrical disciplines.
• Handle and process flight hardwarein accordance withworkmanship and cleanliness standards.
• Assistengineers with hands-on build, debug, and troubleshooting tasks.

Lab Operations & Management

• Own the day-to-day organization and upkeep of the hardware labincludingbench layouts, tool management, consumables, and cleanliness.
• Track hardware status and assembly progress,maintainingclear andaccuraterecords.
• Develop, document, and refine lab procedures and work instructions in collaboration with engineering.
• Support process development efforts to improve efficiency, repeatability, and quality in the lab.
• Assistinestablishingand maintaining OSHA compliance across shop and lab spaces.
• Maintain a safe working environment and support compliance with applicable lab and facility standards.
• Help coordinate external contractors and vendors as needed during lab buildout.
• Asadditionaltechnicians join the team, coordinate their work, provide guidance, and support their development.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of hands-on experience inahardwarelab, production, or integration environment.
• Demonstratedproficiencyin some combinationofelectrical rework, PCB/cable/connector soldering, mechanical assembly, or systems integration.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use ofhand toolsandpower tools.
• Experience following and executing formal assembly or test procedures.
• Strong organizational skills. You take initiative to keep your workspace and team organized without being asked.
• Comfortable taking ownership of a space and a process, not just a task list.
• Clear and effective communicator, able tointerface withengineers and coordinate with peers.
• Self-motivated and reliable in an environment where priorities can shift quickly.
• No degreeisrequired. Demonstrated skill, ownership, and initiative are whatmattershere.

Preferred:

• J-STD-001 and/or IPCcertification.
• Experience with flight or high-reliability hardware assembly.
• Background in aerospace, defense, or other demanding hardware environments.
• Experience developing or improving lab procedures and work instructions.
• Experience with 3D printing, CNC, and manual machining.
• Familiarity with hardware tracking, traveler documents, or basic configuration management practices.
• Prior experience mentoring or coordinating junior technicians.
• Exposure to cleanroom or visually clean facility protocols.

Salary and Benefits:

• Pay range: $40/Hour - $60/Hour
• Early and competitive equity in a rapidly growing startup
• Platinum-level healthcare, vision, dental, and life insurance covered 100% for you
• 401k matching at 4% (no vesting)
• Unlimited PTO and sick time
• Catered lunch 3x per week
• Educationassistanceup to $5,250 per year
• 17 paid holidays (including a “winter break” Dec. 24-Jan. 1)

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Samara Aerospace does not currently sponsor employment visas for this position. Employment eligibility will be verified upon hire in accordance with federal law.