Test Equipment Technician (Fabrication & Support)

SpaceX•Starbase, TX, TX

7d•Onsite

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. This role provides ground support equipment (GSE) technician support, which involves building, installing, and troubleshooting equipment such as pumps, tanks, valves, and plumbing related to the liquid oxygen (LOX) pad, fuel pad, and other aspects of the site facility. The technician will operate hardware, high-pressure systems and pumps, and other ancillary equipment, including pneumatic components. They will fabricate GSE hardware and equipment, collaborate with design engineers to develop and document GSE activities, and ensure all materials are clean and inspected according to Clean for Oxygen Service Standards. The role also involves building structural and engine test equipment, obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses, operator permits, or certifications, and following all necessary regulations and appropriate SpaceX procedures, including quality policies, safety policies, OSHA, EPA, NIOSH, NFPA, ASME, NEC, etc. Additionally, the technician will develop novel ways, site-wide, to streamline processes and increase the reliability of testing operations, perform a variety of related duties in support of engine testing and structural test stand programs, lead field execution of assigned projects while coordinating technicians and contractors to safely deliver scope on schedule, coordinate with engineering, construction, and operations teams to plan work, resolve field issues, and drive project execution, review work packages, drawings, and procedures to identify execution risks and provide constructibility feedback, verify contractor work meets SpaceX quality standards and engineering intent prior to turnover, identify schedule blockers, resource constraints, and safety concerns, escalating issues with proposed solutions, and lead pre-job briefs, field walk downs, and post-job reviews to ensure safe, efficient execution.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
2+ years of professional industrial experience, such as installing pipe and components, bending stainless tubes, or working around high-pressure systems or mechanical systems
Experience coordinating work activities, or leading small teams, contractors or field projects

Nice To Haves

Experience in the space exploration industry, military, or other high-reliability operating environment
Experience in ground support equipment in the aerospace industry
Mechanical aptitude and experience (work with machines and general tooling)
Formalized mechanical training, skilled in hand and power tool usage
Knowledge of high vacuum systems
Knowledge of all types of bore scope inspection equipment
Knowledge of various fittings (NPT, MS, AN, Swagelok, medium pressure)
Ability to utilize power tools and hand tools as well as heavy equipment
Use of precision measuring instruments
Ability to read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics
Knowledge of hazardous systems - cryogenic, flammable, hypergolic, pyrophoric
Knowledge of high-pressure system design and handling
Experience using test instrumentation and control components

Responsibilities

Provide ground support equipment (GSE) technician support, which involves building, installing, and troubleshooting equipment such as pumps, tanks, valves, and plumbing related to the liquid oxygen (LOX) pad, fuel pad, and other aspects of the site facility
Operate hardware, high-pressure systems and pumps, and other ancillary equipment, including pneumatic components
Fabricate GSE hardware and equipment
Collaborate with design engineers to develop and document GSE activities
Ensure all materials are clean and inspected according to Clean for Oxygen Service Standards
Build structural and engine test equipment
Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required
Follow all necessary regulations and appropriate SpaceX procedures, including quality policies, safety policies, OSHA, EPA, NIOSH, NFPA, ASME, NEC, etc.
Develop novel ways, site-wide, to streamline processes and increase the reliability of testing operations
Perform a variety of related duties in support of engine testing and structural test stand programs
Lead field execution of assigned projects while coordinating technicians and contractors to safely deliver scope on schedule
Coordinate with engineering, construction, and operations teams to plan work, resolve field issues, and drive project execution
Review work packages, drawings, and procedures to identify execution risks and provide constructibility feedback
Verify contractor work meets SpaceX quality standards and engineering intent prior to turnover
Identify schedule blockers, resource constraints, and safety concerns, escalating issues with proposed solutions
Lead pre-job briefs, field walk downs, and post-job reviews to ensure safe, efficient execution