About the position
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. The Structures Technician (Fairings) position involves modifying, repairing, assembling, and installing rocket and spacecraft components and subcomponents across multiple shifts.
Responsibilities
- Modify, repair, assemble, and install rocket and spacecraft components and subcomponents
- Use tooling holes, pilot holes, or by hand (as required), per drawing or tooling instructions
- Align parts and secure in place using clecos or tooling/hand clamps
- Install fasteners in correct sequence per drawing, using correct tools (e.g., rivet gun and bucking bar, drill motor, power screwdriver, C-squeeze, ratchet wrench, nut runner)
- Shim and/or trim parts as required
- Select drill bits, reamers and/or countersinking tools for pilot and full-size holes
- Locate, drill pilot holes using drill motor and proper size drill bit(s)
- Drill, ream, countersink full size holes in parts/assemblies, in proper sequence and to correct size using drill motor
- Set countersinking tools to proper depth as required
- Disassemble parts and deburr holes using chip chasers, deburring tools, and files to prepare for installation of fasteners
- Use solvents to clean surfaces prior to sealing or assembly
- Apply sealant, Alodine, primer, adhesives, special finishes
- Load and unload ovens to bond detail parts to assemblies
- Determine and obtain correct type and size fasteners
- Cold work holes to prepare for close tolerance fastener installation
- Install bushings into housings using arbor press and/or hydraulic puller
- Apply liquid nitrogen to facilitate installation of bushings
- Check work after completion of each operation in job and/or completed job to ensure it is complete per drawing
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 1+ years of hands-on experience in assembly, test, maintenance, repair and/or installation; OR a certificate from an accredited trade skills program
Nice-to-haves
- Experience drilling, reaming, honing and/or countersinking straight and close tolerance holes
- Experience gained through the military or within an aviation manufacturing company
- Experience using various types of hand tools and/or hand-held power tools, floor-mounted power tools and precision measuring tools
- Capable of visualizing a three-dimensional shape from a two-dimensional view and understanding symbols, flag notes, and general notes
- Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations accurately (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals and fractions)
- Experience making basic layouts on parts or assemblies in order to establish reference points and to check dimensions
- Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications
