Instrumentation Fitter - 2nd Shift

SpaceX
McGregor, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for hands-on mechanical technicians who fabricate and maintain high-pressure systems and collaborate with engineers in aerospace facilities.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with industrial mechanical experience and a background in high-pressure system maintenance
    — “2+ years of industrial experience, such as installing pipe and components, bending stainless tubes, or working around high-pressure systems or mechanical systems”
  • Individuals who have worked in high-reliability environments like the military or space industry
    — “Experience in the space exploration industry, military, or other high-reliability operating environments”
  • Candidates who can operate precision measuring instruments and read mechanical schematics
    — “Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics”

Things to consider

  • The role requires working in extreme outdoor conditions and with hazardous materials
    — “Must be able to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, etc.”
  • Candidates must be available for travel and work non-standard hours
    — “Must be available for travel (up to 20% of the time), including military and government installations”
  • The position demands physical strength to lift up to 25lbs unassisted and work at elevated heights
    — “Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper PPE”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with cryogenic, flammable, and hypergolic systems on your resume
    — “Knowledge of hazardous systems - cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric”
  • Emphasize your ability to troubleshoot and maintain complex instrumentation systems
    — “Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment and instrumentation as needed”
  • Showcase any prior work on process improvement or reliability enhancement in mechanical systems
    — “Develop novel ways, site-wide, to streamline processes and increase the reliability of testing operations”
  • Document your experience with high-pressure system design and handling in your application
    — “Knowledge of high-pressure system design and handling”
  • Include specific examples of working with NPT and A/N fittings in your interview responses
    — “Knowledge of different fittings such as national pipe taper (NPT) and A/N”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · MediumAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · IndividualLevel · Mid

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • maintained and improved ground support equipment
  • developed and documented GSE activities
Typical background
2+ years industrial experience

Skills & requirements

Required

InstrumentationPneumatic SystemsHigh-pressure SystemsMechanical AptitudeTeam Collaboration

Preferred

Space Exploration Industry ExperienceGround Support Equipment

Stack & domain

PumpsTanksValvesPlumbingLiquid Oxygen (lox)Fuel PadGround Support Equipment (gse)High-pressure SystemsMechanical AptitudeHand And Power Tool UsagePrecision Measuring InstrumentsMechanical And Electrical SchematicsHigh Vacuum SystemsBore Scope Inspection EquipmentNational Pipe Taper (npt)A/NTest Instrumentation And Control Components

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

INSTRUMENTATION FITTER – 2ND SHIFT

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Provide ground support equipment (GSE) technician support, which involves building, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment such as pumps, tanks, valves, and plumbing related to the liquid oxygen (LOX), fuel pad, and other aspects of the site facility 

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment and instrumentation as needed 

Operate and maintain hardware, high-pressure systems and pumps, and other ancillary equipment, including pneumatic components

Fabricate and repair GSE hardware and equipment 

Collaborate with design engineers to develop and document GSE activities 

Ensure all materials are clean and inspected according to Clean for Oxygen Service Standards 

Build and maintain structural and engine test equipment 

Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required 

Follow all necessary regulations and appropriate SpaceX procedures, including quality policies and safety policies 

Develop novel ways, site-wide, to streamline processes and increase the reliability of testing operations 

Perform a variety of related duties in support of engine testing and structural test stand programs 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

High school diploma or equivalency certificate  

2+ years of industrial experience, such as installing pipe and components, bending stainless tubes, or working around high-pressure systems or mechanical systems 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Experience in the space exploration industry, military, or other high-reliability operating environments 

Experience in ground support equipment in the aerospace industry 

Mechanical aptitude and experience (work with machines and general tooling) 

Formalized mechanical training, skilled in hand and power tool usage 

A demonstrated experience where quick thinking and problem-solving play a critical role 

Knowledge of high vacuum systems 

Knowledge of all types of bore scope inspection equipment 

Knowledge of different fittings such as national pipe taper (NPT) and A/N 

Ability to utilize power tools and hand tools, as well as heavy equipment 

Use of precision measuring instruments 

Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics 

Knowledge of hazardous systems - cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric 

Knowledge of high-pressure system design and handling 

Experience using test instrumentation and control components 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Standard hours for this position are 1:30 PM – 12:30 AM

Valid driver’s license

Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is necessary to perform job functions

The ability to lift heavy objects is required in this position (up to 25lbs unassisted)

Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper PPE

Must be able to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, etc.

Must be able to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, noise, and hazardous environments

Must be able to work in elevated PPE, including supplied air respirators and chemical-resistant self-encapsulating suits

Must be available to work overtime, weekends, and rotating shifts as needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required

Must be able to and available for travel (up to 20% of the time), including military and government installations

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 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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

Similar roles