
Equipment Maintenance Technician
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. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Robotics, Welding
- 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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Lean, Six Sigma, 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 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
- ◆Maintain and repair all critical assets to ensure their proper operating condition
- ◆Provide maintenance on various equipment such as ovens, furnaces, vacuum systems, composite ply cutting machines, epoxy dispensing machines, environmental test chambers, tube-bending equipment, etc.
- ◆Ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems down to the component level
- ◆Read and utilize schematics (mechanical/ electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic)
- ◆Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- ✓3+ years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment
- ✓3+ years of experience with repairing mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Maintenance experience with Thermotron, Envirotronic, Mycronic, Unholtz-Dickie, and Acutronic equipment
- ✓Maintenance experience with various welding equipment (robotic, electron beam, friction, etc.)
- ✓Maintenance experience on gas and electric ovens, vacuum systems, environmental thermal testing, and ply cutting equipment
- ✓5+ years of experience as a maintenance technician or field service engineer
- ✓Experience operating a forklift and other related inventory equipment
- ✓Ability to use power tools and hand tools as well as heavy equipment
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics and drawings
- ✓Ability to write detailed repair reports (advanced MS Office skills)
- ✓Ability to maintain a safe and clean working environment while adhering to company policies, quality policies, and industry standards
- ✓Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
- ✓Familiar with Lean or Six Sigma tools like Five Why’s Methodology
- ✓Analytic thinker that gets to the root of the problem and comes up with permanent solution to remedy the issue
- ✓Ability to navigate, utilize, and close out work orders
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work one of the following shifts:
- ✓1st shift: Monday - Friday 5:30am - 3:30pm
- ✓2nd shift: Monday - Friday 2:00pm - 12:00am
- ✓Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime and weekends as needed
- ✓Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
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.
Equipment maintenance technician
This role requires a self-sufficient technician who performs preventive maintenance and troubleshooting across a wide range of equipment. The technician must apply systematic problem-solving in a high-volume manufacturing environment, keep equipment in optimal operating condition, and coordinate with internal teams and external partners.
Pay range
Equipment Maintenance Technician/Level 1: $30.00 - $35.00/hour
Equipment Maintenance Technician/Level 2: $34.00 - $40.00/hour
Equipment Maintenance Technician/Level 3: $39.00 - $47.00/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 receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
ITAR
