Maintenance Technician
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Travel
- 25%
- 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 Hawthorne, CA. Self-sufficient, independent, all-round technician performing preventive and emergent maintenance and troubleshooting on various equipment used by the Flight Hardware Logistics team, which is responsible for the transportation of Falcon engines, stages.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Tools it names
- Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 25% travel
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
- Less than usual (2+ vs 3+)
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?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- 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
- ◆Troubleshoot and repair the following: air ride suspension and brake systems, lighting, wiring, gas-powered pony motors and generators, and fluid hydraulic systems on shipping fixtures
- ◆Engage in preventive maintenance of various mechanical, control, hydraulic, fluid, and electrical systems
- ◆Troubleshoot various mechanical, control, hydraulic, fluid, and electrical systems down to the component level
- ◆Adhere to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Biennial Inspection of Terminals (BIT) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations
- ◆Perform CHP and DOT-required 90-day inspections, as well as annual inspections
- ◆Document all work and repairs by creating and updating maintenance tickets and work orders
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓2+ years of professional experience in maintaining, troubleshooting, or repairing electrical, mechanical, fluid, and/or control systems
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Experience leading a team or managing a maintenance program, shop, etc.
- ✓Strong problem-solving and organizational skills
- ✓Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while maintaining a high sense of urgency in a high-paced, challenging work environment
- ✓Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook)
- ✓Commercial driver’s license (CDL)
Requirements
- ✓Must be available to work all shifts, overtime, and weekends as needed based on operational needs; flexibility required
- ✓Must be available to travel up to 25% of the time
- ✓Valid driver’s license
- ✓Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
- ✓Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted, stoop, bend, crawl, and being able to maneuver in tight spaces
requirements
of the law.
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 ↓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.
Maintenance technician
Self-sufficient, independent, all-round technician performing preventive and emergent maintenance and troubleshooting on various equipment used by the Flight Hardware Logistics team, which is responsible for the transportation of Falcon engines, stages, and components. We are looking for a systematic problem solver who understands a high-volume manufacturing environment and keeps the equipment running in optimal condition.
Pay Range
Level 1: $23.00 - $27.00
Level 2: $26.00 - $32.50
Level 3: $31.00 - $38.00
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 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 receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use