
Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) - Day Shift
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Production
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level production role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Load/unload AGV carriers, change consumables (pastes, targets, gases), and assist with equipment setup and changeovers.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$91k.
Median of the low and high ends of 50 live postings that list pay, out of 825 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 60 other live production postings in Texas.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 4+)
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 85%
- Lean 38%
- ✓ Root cause 33%
- 5S 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SPC, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at SpaceX
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Kevin → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: SpaceX in Bastrop
157 other open roles at this site · 2 people we found in production roles at SpaceX.
- Facilities Specialist, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Reliability · Specialist
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Production · Technician
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Execute skilled operations and process monitoring on key equipment including texturing lines, PECVD, PVD, metallization printers, and testing systems
- ◆Monitor process parameters, identify deviations, and perform basic troubleshooting to maintain yield and throughput
- ◆Perform in-process inspections, data logging, and quality control checks including PL, AOI, and IV testing support
- ◆Support root cause analysis for process issues and implement corrective actions in collaboration with engineering
- ◆Load/unload AGV carriers, change consumables (pastes, targets, gases), and assist with equipment setup and changeovers
- ◆Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and cleanroom standards while handling hazardous chemicals and process gases
- ◆Train production associates and contribute to continuous improvement of manufacturing processes
- ◆Track production metrics and maintain accurate records in manufacturing execution systems
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓2+ years of professional experience in a hands-on manufacturing environment
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Experience operating vacuum deposition, wet processing, or screen printing equipment in solar or semiconductor manufacturing
- ✓Knowledge of process parameters for temperature, pressure, flow, and gas chemistry
- ✓Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and data-driven decision making
- ✓Ability to read and interpret technical documents, schematics, and work instructions
- ✓Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a high-volume production setting
- ✓Familiarity with cleanroom protocols and gowning procedures
- ✓Excellent communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- ✓Experience with lock-out/tag-out, job hazard analysis, and chemical safety protocols
- ✓Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and executing digital work instructions
- ✓Demonstrated punctuality, ability to work in a high-stress environment, and flexibility to adjust priorities
Requirements
- ✓Ability to stand up to 6 hours, lift up to 25 pounds unassisted, and maneuver around equipment in a factory setting
- ✓Ability to work in industrial environments with fumes/odors, noise, hazardous chemicals, and confined spaces
- ✓Must be available for one of the following AWS shifts (start and end times are approximate):
- ✓A Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Sunday-Wednesday
- ✓B Shift – 5:00am-5:00pm, Wednesday-Saturday
ITAR
Requirements
- ✓To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com .
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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.
Production technician, solar cells (starlink) - day shift
At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power to support intensive computing workloads in space. To make this possible, we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. We are seeking a Production Technician to execute skilled operations on solar cell production equipment, perform process monitoring, basic troubleshooting, and support quality control activities at various stages of cell manufacturing.
