Integration Technician (Payloads) - Night Shift

SpaceX
Vandenberg, US
On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward mid-level technicians with aerospace or military aviation experience comfortable with night shifts and physically demanding conditions.

Best fit for

  • Military aviation technicians transitioning to civilian aerospace roles.
    — “Military aviation experience as a propulsion or airframe technician
  • Aerospace trade school graduates seeking hands-on satellite integration work.
    — “certificate from an accredited trade skills program
  • Technicians with clean room and ESD experience aiming for space industry roles.
    — “Experience working in a clean room and ESD sensitive environment

Things to consider

  • Night shift schedule requires availability from 5 PM to 3:30 AM.
    — “5:00 PM - 3:30 AM, Monday - Friday
  • Physical demands include lifting 25 lbs and working at 300-foot heights.
    — “Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
  • Requires eligibility for top secret government security clearance.
    — “Able to obtain or currently hold top secret/ SCI security clearance

How to stand out

  • Detail specific connector types you've worked with in past roles.
    — “D-SUB, BNC, TNC, N-TYPE SMA 8P8C
  • Quantify experience with calibrated measurement tools in your resume.
    — “load cells, multi-meters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers
  • Highlight any launch facility experience beyond basic aerospace work.
    — “Experience working at a rocket launch facility and supporting launch campaigns
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · IndividualLevel · Junior

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

What success looks like

  • successful integration of Starlink satellites
  • high-quality customer payload integration
Typical background
assembly and test technicianmechanical equipment maintenance

Skills & requirements

Required

AssemblyTestMaintenanceRepairInstallationClean_room_operationsEsd_sensitive_environment

Preferred

Airframe_and_powerplant_licensePropulsion_test_stand_maintenance

Stack & domain

AssemblyTestMaintenanceRepairInstallationAirframe & Powerplant LicenseStrong Working Knowledge Of Microsoft OfficeClean Room And Esd Sensitive EnvironmentPressure, Temperature, And Flow Measurement DevicesPropulsion Test StandRocket Launch FacilityCalibrated Measurement DevicesForkliftsCranesHeavy EquipmentAir Purifying And/or Supplied Air RespiratorsAttention To DetailCommunicationAerospacePayload Integration

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.

INTEGRATION TECHNICIAN (PAYLOADS) - NIGHT SHIFT

Join a highly skilled team of technicians to integrate and launch thousands of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. You will help bring fast and reliable internet to the entire world!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide daily support to the payload integration technician team working on Starlink integration and customer payload integration

Navigate through hardware receiving, checkouts, processing of SpaceX fairing flight hardware and ground support equipment, integration of Starlink satellites, and integration of commercial/government spacecraft

Work with a team of engineers and technicians to ensure systems and mechanical equipment is built safely and reliably to support the successful launch of high value satellites and critical government assets to orbit or beyond

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

2+ years of hands on experience in assembly, test, maintenance, repair and/or installation, OR a certificate from an accredited trade skills program

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Able to obtain or currently hold top secret/ SCI security clearance

Airframe & Powerplant License

Associate degree in aerospace technology or equivalent area of study

Strong written and oral communication skills

Meticulous attention to detail

Ability to take project goals, inputs, and work toward the end-goal beyond individual task assignment

Experience populating and repairing connectors ranging from D-SUB, BNC, TNC, N-TYPE SMA 8P8C

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)

Experience working in a clean room and ESD sensitive environment

Knowledge of pressure, temperature, and flow measurement devices

Experience maintaining a propulsion test stand in the aerospace industry

Experience working at a rocket launch facility and supporting launch campaigns

Military aviation experience as a propulsion or airframe technician

Skill in operating and manipulating machinery and various hand and power tools requiring manual dexterity

Experience with forklifts, cranes, and heavy equipment

Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices including load cells, multi-meters, calipers, torque wrenches, depth gauges, and micrometers

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Vandenberg Space Force Base

Ability to work night shift, overtime, and weekends as needed:

5:00 PM - 3:30 AM, Monday - Friday

Must be able to work while wearing air purifying and/or supplied air respirators

Work schedule varies depending on site operational needs, and flexibility is required

Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted

Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet), including the use of ladders

Must be willing to operate heavy machinery

Must be able to work in confined spaces

Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice

Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

Willing to travel to other SpaceX sites as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Integration Technician/Level 1: $23.00 - $29.75/hour

Integration Technician/Level 2: $28.50 - $35.75/hour

Integration Technician/Level 3: $34.00 - $41.75/hour

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, stock options, 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.

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)

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