Test Technician III (Castle)

Frontdoor Defense; Atwater, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental

401K

Job summary

Astra Space Operations, LLC seeks a skilled Test Technician III to oversee hands-on test stand operations and maintenance at its Castle facility in Atwater, CA. You will build, operate, and maintain test stands for engines, tanks, and stages, wiring panels, and ensuring safe, repeatable test operations.

You will collaborate with test engineers and equipment teams to ensure readiness, safety, and efficient troubleshooting, with a focus on cryogenic hazards, electrical integrity, and preventive

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience as a mechanic, technician, or fabricator in aerospace, motorsport, or heavy equipment
• Experience using common and complex tools and machinery, and using and maintaining them safely
• Understanding of fabrication such as tube bending, cutting, metalwork, and reading technical drawings
• Hands-on electrical skills: reading schematics, wiring, crimping, soldering, and continuity checks
• Experience with preventive maintenance and documenting work
• Understand or learn P&IDs
• Pride in maintaining a clean, orderly workspace
• Ability to work independently at a remote site with a small team

Responsibilities

• Safety: manage hazards from cryogenics to heavy lifting to minimize risk
• Electrical: build, repair, and check electrical panels, harnesses, connectors, and cables
• Instrumentation & DAQ: install sensors and verify DAQ channels with engineers
• Fabrication: fabricate, assemble, and repair hardware for test operations
• Test Support: prepare test articles, service between tests, replenish consumables
• Fleet & Equipment Maintenance: run preventive maintenance and service logs for site vehicles and shop equipment
• Site Readiness & Inventory: organize tools, stock, and spares
• Collaboration: work with engineers to prepare campaigns

Skills

Hands-on repair

Electrical skills

Preventive maintenance

Fabrication

Reading schematics

DAQ systems

Tube bending

Safety awareness

Equipment operation

Education

Trade school training/A&P/SAE certification

Tools

CAD software

MIG/TIG welding

Job description

Test Technician III (Castle)

Oversee hands-on test stand operations and maintenance for aerospace propulsion tests

Location: Atwater, California

Compensation: $28 - 37 USD / hour

About The Role

Test Technician

Astra's mission is to improve life on Earth from space by creating a healthier and more connected planet. Today, Astra offers one of the lowest cost-per-launch dedicated orbital launch services, and one of the industry's leading flight-proven electric propulsion systems for satellites, the Astra Spacecraft Engine.

The Opportunity

As a Test Technician at Astra's Castle test facility in Atwater, CA, you'll build, operate, and maintain the test stands and site systems where we test engines, tanks, and integrated stages for the launch vehicle. From wiring panels and checking out instrumentation to keeping the vehicles, forklifts, and trailers the site depends on running, you'll play a critical role in enabling safe, repeatable test operations.

You'll collaborate closely with test engineers, electrical and controls engineers, and a small site team to deliver safe, maintainable solutions that work in the real world, on real hardware.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, loves keeping machines running, and enjoys leaving a site better organized than they found it.

How You'll Fulfill Your Mission

• Safety: Astra's first priority is safety, and Test involves hazards from cryogenics to heavy lifting. Predict, monitor, and mitigate these hazards to minimize risk and prevent injuries
• Electrical & Wiring: Build, repair, and check out electrical panels, harnesses, connectors, and cable runs for test stands and site infrastructure
• Instrumentation & DAQ: Help install and verify sensors (pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells) and data acquisition (DAQ) channels with the test engineers before and after each campaign
• Build & Fabrication: Fabricate, assemble, troubleshoot, and repair hardware and equipment needed for test operations, including tube bending and fluid line work
• Test Support: Prepare test articles and stands for hazardous test operations, service them between tests, and replenish consumables
• Fleet & Equipment Maintenance: Run a preventive maintenance schedule, with service logs, for site vehicles, forklifts, trailers, and shop equipment so nothing fails in the middle of a campaign
• Site Readiness & Inventory: Keep containers, toolboxes, and shop stock organized, and track spares such as LIN pump and air compressor parts so nothing stalls waiting on a part
• Collaboration: Partner with test, electrical, mechanical, and controls engineers to understand what each campaign needs and keep the site ready for i

Why We Value You

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a mechanic, technician, or fabricator, in motorsport, aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, or industrial maintenance
• Experience using common and complex tools and machinery, and using and maintaining them safely
• Fundamental understanding of fabrication, such as tube bending, cutting, metalwork, and reading technical drawings
• Hands-on electrical skills: reading schematics, wiring, crimping, soldering, and continuity checks
• Experience keeping vehicles or equipment on a preventive maintenance schedule and documenting the work
• Ability to understand and interpret P&IDs, or eagerness to learn
• Pride in maintaining a clean and orderly work space
• Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight
• Comfort working full time at a remote site with a small team

Desired Multipliers

• Experience with sensors and data acquisition systems, such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, and the wiring that connects them
• Experience building and running a preventive maintenance program for a vehicle or equipment fleet
• Ability to drive large trucks and trailers
• Experience handling and working with hazardous materials
• Broad mechanical, electrical, and cryogenic understanding
• MIG/TIG welding experience
• Experience with CAD software
• Trade school training, or A&P or SAE certification
• Background in aerospace, automotive, or heavy equipment
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and physically lift items weighing up to 50 lbs
• Willingness to travel to various production, test, and launch locations

The pay range for this role is: $28-37/hr

Salary and Benefits

We're competitive in compensation and offer equity as part of the package. We have great benefits that include health, vision, dental, and 401K in comparison to other startups. We provide lunch and there's plenty of snacks and drinks to get you through the day.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

ITAR Requirements: This position requires compliance with U.S. Government space technology trade restrictions, specifically the International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and additional regulations governing satellite, launch vehicle, missile, and other related technologies. All jobs restricted by these regulations will be contingent upon the applicant's status as a documented U.S. Person or their ability to receive a trade license from the cognizant government agency; in addition to any required company background checks and in compliance with applicable U.S. and California laws. Similarly, positions requiring the ability to work on government contracts or a security clearance are also contingent upon the applicants ability to receive the appropriate clearance and be allowed to work on U.S. government contracts.

© Astra Space Operations, LLC. All rights reserved, Astra is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We encourage people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.

San Francisco Applicants: Astra will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records (criminal histories) in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.