Test Technician III (Castle)

Astra•Atwater, CA

6h•$28 - $37•Remote

About The Position

As a Test Technician at Astra’s Castle test facility in Atwater, CA, you’ll build, operate, and maintain the test stands and site systems where we test engines, tanks, and integrated stages for the launch vehicle. From wiring panels and checking out instrumentation to keeping the vehicles, forklifts, and trailers the site depends on running, you’ll play a critical role in enabling safe, repeatable test operations. You’ll collaborate closely with test engineers, electrical and controls engineers, and a small site team to deliver safe, maintainable solutions that work in the real world, on real hardware. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a hands-on environment, loves keeping machines running, and enjoys leaving a site better organized than they found it.

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on experience as a mechanic, technician, or fabricator, in motorsport, aerospace, automotive, heavy equipment, or industrial maintenance
Experience using common and complex tools and machinery, and using and maintaining them safely
Fundamental understanding of fabrication, such as tube bending, cutting, metalwork, and reading technical drawings
Hands-on electrical skills: reading schematics, wiring, crimping, soldering, and continuity checks
Experience keeping vehicles or equipment on a preventive maintenance schedule and documenting the work
Ability to understand and interpret P&IDs, or eagerness to learn
Pride in maintaining a clean and orderly work space
Ability to operate independently with minimal oversight
Comfort working full time at a remote site with a small team
Ability to stand for long periods of time and physically lift items weighing up to 50 lbs

Nice To Haves

Experience with sensors and data acquisition systems, such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells, and the wiring that connects them
Experience building and running a preventive maintenance program for a vehicle or equipment fleet
Ability to drive large trucks and trailers
Experience handling and working with hazardous materials
Broad mechanical, electrical, and cryogenic understanding
MIG/TIG welding experience
Experience with CAD software
Trade school training, or A&P or SAE certification
Background in aerospace, automotive, or heavy equipment
Willingness to travel to various production, test, and launch locations

Responsibilities

Predict, monitor, and mitigate hazards to minimize risk and prevent injuries
Build, repair, and check out electrical panels, harnesses, connectors, and cable runs for test stands and site infrastructure
Help install and verify sensors (pressure transducers, thermocouples, load cells) and data acquisition (DAQ) channels with the test engineers before and after each campaign
Fabricate, assemble, troubleshoot, and repair hardware and equipment needed for test operations, including tube bending and fluid line work
Prepare test articles and stands for hazardous test operations, service them between tests, and replenish consumables
Run a preventive maintenance schedule, with service logs, for site vehicles, forklifts, trailers, and shop equipment so nothing fails in the middle of a campaign
Keep containers, toolboxes, and shop stock organized, and track spares such as LIN pump and air compressor parts so nothing stalls waiting on a part
Partner with test, electrical, mechanical, and controls engineers to understand what each campaign needs and keep the site ready for it