Development Test Technician - 2nd Shift

About the role

SpaceX is developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Development Test Technician – 2nd Shift supports the Starbase Structures team by performing a wide variety of test operations and test equipment fabrication work. The team collaborates closely with engineers to build mechanical and fluid assemblies, modify and integrate test articles, construct data and control systems, and support testing operations.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, and troubleshoot new or existing test equipment, including fluid systems, mechanical assemblies, data and control systems, and instrumentation.
• Fabricate high‑pressure fluid panels, plumbing, and hydraulic manifolds; perform tube fabrication, routing, cleaning, proofing, and activation.
• Install instrumentation, build and route harnesses, and resolve wiring and instrumentation issues.
• Build, operate, and troubleshoot hydraulic systems such as pumps, actuators, servos, and winches.
• Assemble, modify, and inspect test articles, performing precision drilling, doublers, brackets, blending, painting, bonding, leak detection, non‑destructive testing, and strain‑gauge installation.
• Participate in rigging and crane operations for test equipment and test articles, including hangar bridge cranes and mobile crane lifts.
• Build and modify data and control systems ranging from small mobile DAQs to large test‑stand infrastructures with thousands of channels.
• Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems.
• Participate in test operations, configuring high‑pressure, hazardous, and cryogenic fluid systems; connecting hydraulic actuators and instrumentation; controlling hazardous areas; troubleshooting hardware; and monitoring test video and data.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of experience with one or more of the following: mechanical systems, high‑pressure fluid systems, instrumentation (e.g., strain gauges, load cells, temperature sensors, accelerometers, pressure transducers), data and control systems, or test operations on mechanical or electrical systems.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Ability to rapidly change roles, learn new skills, and thrive in a fast‑paced, challenging environment.
• Associate degree in engineering, mechanical, electrical systems, or a related field.
• A&P license.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Teamcenter, and NX.
• Experience reading and interpreting planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches.
• Aerospace testing experience (propulsion, structural, etc.).
• Airframe structural repair experience.
• Hydraulic plumbing repair/fabrication experience.
• Use of non‑destructive inspection equipment and techniques.
• Precision measuring instrument experience.
• Knowledge of various fittings (NPT, MS, AN, Swagelok, medium pressure) and fasteners (Hi‑Lok, rivets, NAS, MS, SAE Grade 5/8, locking inserts, locking nuts, super bolts, etc.).
• Experience with aerospace or military‑grade harness fabrication.
• Understanding of data acquisition and control concepts, hardware, and interfacing (National Instruments PXI / cSeries, PLC).
• Fabrication of data and control systems (junction boxes, rack‑mount hardware, etc.).
• Proficiency with electrical tools (oscilloscopes, multimeters, soldering irons, crimpers, strippers, etc.).
• Component and system‑level troubleshooting skills for instrumentation systems.
• Experience with DC power supplies, distribution, DC‑DC converters, and UPS.
• Analog and digital instrumentation experience (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, encoders, deflection gauges, accelerometers).
• Ground support equipment fabrication or modification in the aerospace industry.
• Rigging, crane, and lift operation experience.

Additional Requirements

• Standard hours: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; must be available for overtime, weekends, and schedule variations based on site needs.
• Flexibility to support shift rotations as site demands change.
• Physical dexterity required for work in tight quarters.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Exposure to extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain) and to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Travel to other SpaceX facilities up to 25% of the time.
• Physical demands include:
  • Standing: up to 10 hours/day
  • Sitting: up to 3 hours/day
  • Push/Pull: up to 75 lb (unassisted) for 1–2 hours/day
  • Overhead reach: up to 10 hours/day
  • Walking: up to 10 hours/day
  • Lifting/Carrying: up to 50 lb (unassisted) for 1–2 hours/day
  • Climbing (ladder/stairs): up to 6 hours/day
  • Kneeling/Crouching: up to 10 hours/day
  • Upper‑body twist: up to 6 hours/day
  • Ability to work in temperatures over 80 °F for 6 hours or more per day.
• Capability to work safely at heights up to 500 ft, in confined spaces, and operating heavy equipment; may be required to complete a pre‑employment questionnaire, physical, and medical history review.

Schedule

Standard shift is 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. with required overtime, weekend work, and flexibility to accommodate site operational needs. Shift rotations may change based on demand.

ITAR Requirements

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations to comply with U.S. Government export regulations.