Lead Production Technician

About the role

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth. With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection. This is a working, hands-on lead role for an experienced complex assembly and test technician. The production floor leader will help train, support, steer, and work alongside other capable production technicians, directly collaborating with production, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and engineering teams in the newly built satellite production facility. This high-visibility, high-impact role will critically influence the company as it scales up repeatable, high-quality spacecraft production.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the go-to production team lead technician, coordinating activities to meet schedule and quality standards, cross-training team members, running production stand-ups, and setting a high standard for production activities through leading by example.
• Adhere to all safety protocols and maintain a cleanroom-like environment with proper ESD-safe practices during satellite builds.
• Assemble and integrate satellite components and subsystems, including electrical harnesses and mechanical structures, following digital work instructions and procedures.
• Support cable routing, thermal insulation application, and other spacecraft-level assembly tasks such as soldering, bonding, torque-controlled fastener installation, testing, anomaly detection, and repair/resolution.
• Measure, record, test, and document specific data as part of the complex assembly process.
• Perform PCB handling, incoming and in-process inspection to IPC-A-610 workmanship criteria, and functional/continuity testing.
• Maintain processes and systems for production equipment, 5S/FOD protocols, QA test benches, holding fixtures, and personnel-driven procedures.
• Assist with optimizing, clarifying, and evolving assembly and integration process instructions to support overall quality and build efficiency.

Requirements

• 10+ years of hands-on experience with mechanical or electrical assembly, preferably in space, aerospace, defense, robotics, automotive, or electronics industries.
• 5+ years in a lead role with demonstrated ability to build, coach, coordinate, and communicate with a highly capable team of production technicians.
• High level of teamwork, clear communication, and collaboration; ability to work with diverse, talented, and multi-disciplinary teams across the company at all levels.
• Experience reading and interpreting schematics, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions with basic GD&T understanding.
• Proficiency with hand tools, torque tools, and PCB test/inspection equipment such as multimeters, ohmmeters, DC power supplies, oscilloscopes, and other lab test equipment.
• Experience operating and running production equipment and machines, including environmental chambers, mechanical deployment fixtures, complex lifting equipment, vibration/shock/thermal cycling testing, 3D printers, and chamber testing.
• Comfort working with sensitive electronics and small mechanical parts.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• For U.S. roles: Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e., Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations.
• For U.K. roles: Must meet Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks and be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).
• For Canada roles: Must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

Qualifications

• Bonus: Current or past certification in IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001; IPC/WHMA-A-620 (harnessing).