Maintenance Technician - Level 4/5

SpaceX
Starbase, TX

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for experienced maintenance professionals who lead process improvements and work with mechanical and fluid systems.

Best fit for

  • Experienced maintenance professionals with a background in aerospace or military aviation
    — “Experience working on a rocket launch pad and directly supporting launch operations”
  • Candidates who can take initiative and suggest improvements in complex systems
    — “take the lead in making suggestions and not get discouraged along the way”
  • Individuals capable of working in extreme environments and handling heavy equipment
    — “Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments - heat, cold, rain”

Things to consider

  • This role requires physical flexibility for extended hours and varied tasks
    — “Ability to support shift rotations as site needs change”
  • Travel commitment of up to 25% is expected to other SpaceX facilities
    — “Must be able to travel to other SpaceX facilities when needed (up to 25% travel)”
  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens or meet specific ITAR eligibility criteria
    — “applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident”

How to stand out

  • Emphasize experience with cryogenic and hydraulic systems in your resume and interviews
    — “Knowledge of hydraulic/cryogenic systems and operations”
  • Highlight your ability to interpret detailed schematics and fabricate components
    — “Experience following detailed schematics and fabricating fluid panels from said schematics”
  • Showcase your track record of working in high-pressure, mission-critical environments
    — “ensure every system is operating with the highest level of quality to support the 100% successful launch”
  • Demonstrate skills in using calibrated measurement tools and troubleshooting complex systems
    — “Familiarity with calibrated measurement devices, including load cells, multimeters, calipers”
  • Include experience with lockout/tagout procedures and safety protocols in your application
    — “Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and fluid system configuration procedures”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

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

What success looks like

  • installation and maintenance of fluid systems
  • troubleshooting complex systems
Typical background
7+ years of experience in mechanical and low-voltage control systems

Skills & requirements

Required

Mechanical Systems MaintenanceHydraulic SystemsCryogenic SystemsHeavy Machinery OperationLockout/tagout Procedures

Preferred

Nccer Instrumentation CertificationMilitary Aviation Experience

Stack & domain

Fabricate And Install Fluid System ComponentsTroubleshoot Operational IssuesOperate Heavy MachineryPerform Maintenance TasksCreate And Maintain Written Work OrdersLockout/tagout ProceduresMonitor And Interpret Critical Instrumentation DataRigging And Moving ItemsOperating And Building A Flush CartProof CartLeak Check CartPersonal InitiativeMaintain ComposureFoster A Positive EnvironmentResponsibleHardworkingConscientiousProduce High-quality WorkContinually Look For Process ImprovementsStreamliningCost SavingsNccer Instrumentation CertificationMechanical SystemsFluid SystemsHydraulicsCryogenic SystemsRocket Launch PadLaunch OperationsClean Room

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.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN - LEVEL 4/5

We are looking for a maintenance technician to install and maintain the Starship test stand's electrical, mechanical, and fluid systems in preparation for test operations. These systems include hydraulics, high-pressure nitrogen/helium, and cryogenic systems.

In addition to the required experience below, our ideal candidate shows personal initiative, maintains composure, and fosters a positive environment. In this role, it is important to be responsible, hardworking, and conscientious about the quality of work performed. The maintenance technician will need to take the lead in making suggestions and not get discouraged along the way. Additionally, they must produce high-quality work promptly while continually looking for process improvements, streamlining, and cost savings.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fabricate and install fluid system components from a schematic or engineering drawing, including, but not limited to, ball valves, check valves, pressure regulators, and pressure gauges

Troubleshoot operational issues found during the activation of controls, fluids, and mechanical systems

Work with a team of technicians and engineers to ensure every system is operating with the highest level of quality to support the 100% successful launch of a multimillion-dollar launch vehicle

Operate heavy machinery, including forklifts and aerial platforms

Perform hands-on operations with both large and small fragile assemblies

Perform maintenance tasks as required in a variety of roles for vehicle integration, pad maintenance, site preventative maintenance, general facilities, and any other general maintenance work to maintain an operational launch site (including corrosion control)

Create, maintain, and edit written work orders and instructions

Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and fluid system configuration procedures, ensuring all physical and administrative actions are completed safely and accurately

Monitor and interpret critical instrumentation data to assess the health and performance of fluid systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate

7+ years of experience performing maintenance or installation work on mechanical and low-voltage control systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

NCCER Instrumentation certification

Experience working on a rocket launch pad and directly supporting launch operations

Experience in military aviation as a propulsion or airframe technician

Experience using heavy equipment (overhead cranes, forklifts, and man lifts)

Experience following detailed schematics and fabricating fluid panels from said schematics

Knowledge of hydraulic/cryogenic systems and operations

Experience explaining the differences between test setups: hydraulic vs. pneumatic vs. thermal and between sensors (load cells, differential pressure transducers, thermocouples, etc.)

Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex controls, fluids, and mechanical systems

Experience routing tubes in the field to a high level of accuracy

Experience in safely rigging and moving items under 20,000 lbs.

Experience operating and building a flush cart, proof cart, and leak check cart

Experience working in a clean room environment

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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Typical hours for this position, excluding overtime, are Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Must be available for overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required

Ability to support shift rotations as site needs change

Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required

Valid driver's license and a clean driving record

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

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

Must be able to travel to other SpaceX facilities when needed (up to 25% travel)

Stand: Up to 10 hours per day

Sit: Up to 3 hours per day

Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day

Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day

Walk: Up to 10 hours per day

Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day

Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day

Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day

Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day

Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for 6 hours or greater per day

Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review.

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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