
Mechanical Technician (Facilities)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in California: typical posted base $72k–$110k.
Median of the low and high ends of 6 live postings that list pay, out of 107 maintenance technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 107 other live reliability postings in California.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (3+ years)
Typical $72k–$110k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 31%
- Tooling 31%
- Welding 30%
- ✓ Team leadership 30%
- EHS / safety 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Reliability team at SpaceX
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders. 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Hawthorne
66 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in reliability roles at SpaceX.
- Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) · Reliability · Manager
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Environmental & Thermal Control Engineer (Dragon) · Controls
- Supplier Quality Specialist (Starship Supply Chain) · Quality · Specialist
- Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop) · Manufacturing
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Collaborate with engineers, managers, and customers to maintain systems in peak operating condition, and to develop/update detailed work instructions for proper equipment preventative maintenance dedicated to ensuring zero unplanned interruption in services to employees and customers.
- ◆Maintain and repair HVAC support equipment on facilities systems including air handlers, chilled water, condenser pumps, cooling towers, valves, filters, etc.
- ◆Perform ductwork modifications, brazing, soldering, evacuation & charging of various refrigerants, water piping, insulation modifications and repairs.
- ◆Assemble, install, repair, and maintain pipes, fittings, heating, water, and drainage systems according to specifications and plumbing codes.
- ◆Perform hands-on shop work and/or on-site disassembly, inspection, reporting, cleaning, troubleshooting, reassembly, and testing of pumps and other mechanical equipment.
- ◆Ensure work and used materials are in compliance with manufacturer specifications.
- ◆Read and interpret schematics for assembly, repair, and reassembly as required.
- ◆Perform failure assessments and day-to-day safety inspections - making recommendations to the supervisor as required.
- ◆Adjust and fabricate mechanical parts using hand and machine tools for mechanical repairs/upgrades.
- ◆Present information on equipment maintenance statuses for all critical facilities as required for internal and external customers.
- ◆Operate a forklift, scissor lift, pallet jack, boom lift, work truck, and overhead crane.
- ◆Written and verbal communication skills, use of MS Outlook and Teams.
- ◆Open, track and resolve electronic work tickets on SpaceX systems.
- ◆Take on additional
responsibilities
as needed as well as determine and manage priorities with minimal guidance.
- ◆Follow and ensure site compliance with all applicable SpaceX, local, state, and federal building codes, regulations, and laws.
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalent certificate.
- ✓3+ years of professional experience working with HVAC, plumbing, pneumatic, mechanical, or electrical systems.
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Knowledge in the following areas: HVAC, plumbing, electrical safety, pneumatic principles, tubing, pipefittings, rotating machinery (pumps, air compressors, etc.), and a variety of mechanical fasteners.
- ✓Technical certification, journeyman, or master in HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, or electrical systems.
- ✓Knowledge of high-pressure gas, flammable gas, and refrigeration gases.
- ✓Professional experience maintaining high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and standard air handling unit (AHU) filtration systems.
- ✓Ability to troubleshoot mechanical and electrical systems down to the component level.
- ✓Familiar with commercial building codes.
- ✓Ability to read, interpret, and understand technical language in specifications, schematics, and blueprints.
- ✓Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to generate service reports and communicate within the company including skills to navigate web-based service literature and programs.
- ✓Possesses a good attitude, willingness to learn, flexibility, and is a self-starter.
- ✓Demonstrates a consistent record of punctual schedule adherence.
- ✓Comfortable working in a high-stress environment balancing several projects at any given time and the flexibility to adjust for abrupt changes in strategic direction.
Requirements
- ✓Must be able to work one of the following shifts:
- ✓First shift: 5AM - 3:30PM PT.
- ✓Second shift: 3PM - 1:30AM PT.
- ✓Able to lift 50 lbs. unassisted.
- ✓Work hours depend on site priorities and may require overtime hours, weekends and holidays; flexibility required. Strong attendance and adhering to the work schedule is essential function of the role.
- ✓Periodic work in extreme outdoor environments: heat, cold, wind, rain.
- ✓Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position.
- ✓Able to work at elevated heights (up to 150 feet), including the use of ladder.
- ✓Must have a valid CA driver’s license.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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.
Mechanical technician (facilities)
As a member of the critical infrastructure team, you will help design, build, activate and maintain some of the world's most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. You will be able to operate with autonomy to solve diverse and complex problems, excel at managing multiple projects at a time and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. As a Mechanical Technician, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions at the cutting edge of space technology. You will work with other infrastructure engineers, technicians, and internal customers to support these goals and have the opportunity to drive real global impact, ultimately leading to making life multiplanetary. The position is based in Hawthorne, CA.
Pay range
Level 1: $23.00 - $32.50/hour
Level 2: $31.00 - $43.00/hour
Level 3: $41.00 - $51.00/hour
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also re
