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Machine Maintenance Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) - Day Shift

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX

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Level
Technician
Team
Reliability
Travel
10%
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.

They ask for
2+ years
Tools it names
5S
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 10% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Maintenance Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $58k–$84k.

Median of the low and high ends of 37 live postings that list pay, out of 1616 maintenance 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 145 other live reliability postings in Texas.

Experience asked
Less than usual (2+ vs 3+)

Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Team leadership 54%
  • PLC 33%
  • Root cause 27%
  • Welding 27%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for 5S, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageLifts up to 25 lbs

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at SpaceX

    We found 4 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 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 Marcus → (free)
  3. 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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 · 4 people we found in reliability roles at SpaceX.

All 158 roles at SpaceX →
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Perform scheduled preventive maintenance, repairs, and basic troubleshooting on solar cell production equipment including laser cutters, texturing lines, PECVD tools, PVD systems, screen printers, and IV testers to minimize downtime
  • ◆Execute disassembly, inspection, cleaning, reassembly, and testing of production machinery supporting texturing, deposition, metallization, and testing processes
  • ◆Collaborate with engineers and production teams to maintain equipment in peak operating condition and develop detailed work instructions
  • ◆Identify leading indicators of equipment instability and perform corrective actions to support high-volume 24/7 manufacturing
  • ◆Read and interpret schematics, P&IDs, and OEM manuals for assembly, repair, and reassembly
  • ◆Ensure all maintenance activities comply with safety protocols for hazardous gases, chemicals, and cleanroom environments
  • ◆Track and resolve electronic work tickets, maintain accurate maintenance records, and support continuous improvement for uptime and yield
  • ◆Operate forklifts, scissor lifts, and other equipment as needed while upholding 5S standards in ISO 7 and ISO 9 production areas

Qualifications

  • ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • ✓2+ years of professional experience performing maintenance on industrial manufacturing equipment

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Experience maintaining vacuum deposition, wet chemistry, or precision printing equipment in semiconductor or solar manufacturing
  • ✓Knowledge of mechanical systems, rotating machinery, pneumatics, and basic electrical troubleshooting
  • ✓Technical certification or journeyman-level experience in maintenance or industrial technology
  • ✓Strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to read schematics, blueprints, and technical documentation
  • ✓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 travel internationally (10%)
  • ✓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 .

Show full description ↓

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.

Machine maintenance 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 Machine Maintenance Technician to perform scheduled maintenance, repairs, and basic troubleshooting on production equipment to minimize downtime in solar cell manufacturing.

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