Launch Pad Technician (Fabrication)
- US citizenship
- ITAR / US person
About the job
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. ## LAUNCH PAD TECHNICIAN (FABRICATION) Launch pad technicians at Starbase, TX, will work to build, maintain, and upgrade structural and/or fluid systems to support various SpaceX rocket testing campaigns.
This technician will work with an elite team of other fabricators to rapidly build and weld the large assemblies that will contribute to Starship & Super Heavy vehicle testing at our South Texas facility. ## RESPONSIBILITIES - Complete welding assignments and procedures for the construction and repair of all site structural stands on time, safely, and in a professional manner - Cut, trim, or scarf metal objects, fit and fabricate metal components to dimensions for building and assembling test site structural forms - Under the supervision of a lead welder, analyze engineering drawings and specifications to plan welding operations where procedural information is unavailable - Utilize hand welding and flame-cutting equipment to weld together metal components and parts to assemble structural forms - Ability to visually inspect own welds per American Welding Society (AWS) D1.1 and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B31.3 (normal and high-pressure service) with proper training - Obtain and maintain internal licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required - Make a continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly - Work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities based on program needs - Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment ## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - High school diploma or equivalency certificate - 2+ years of experience with at least one of the following: shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) (experience from a college welding program qualifies) ## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE - 5+ years of experience in one of the following processes: FCAW, SMAW, GTAW, and GMAW - Experience as a combo welder with the ability to fabricate and weld carbon structure, carbon pipe, and stainless pipe - Knowledge of standard tools, materials, motions, and practices of the welding trade - Knowledge of occupational hazards and effective safety precautions of the trade - Experience in overhead cranes and forklifts - Use of precision measuring instruments - Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment ## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS - Ability to work multiple shifts and change shifts with minimal notice; flexibility required - Ability to travel to different sites, as needed, up to 20% travel - Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand-over-hand - Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain - Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise - Stand: Up to 10 hours per day - Sit: Up to 10 hours per day - Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs.
(unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day - Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day - Walk: Up to 10 hours per day - Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs.
(unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day - Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day - Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day - Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day - Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for 6 hours or greater per day - Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description.
Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review. ## 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 .
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and 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 .
From SpaceX's job posting, checked 7 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.
Selected agencies hiring now
Contract Professionals Inc (CPI)Engineering and technical staffing agency
Aerospace and defense staffing firm in Waterford, Michigan, placing engineers, maintenance technicians, mechanics, welders and CNC machinists.
Places: Propulsion, Mechanical, Avionics, RF & Payloads
Sterling EngineeringEngineering and technical staffing agency
Engineering and technical staffing firm for manufacturers, aerospace suppliers among them.
Places: Mechanical, Technicians, Quality
These agencies and apps pay SpaceJobs.Now a referral fee when someone we introduce is placed or signs up. It costs you nothing and never changes your pay. Employers' own jobs below keep their own order.
Sponsored jobs from job networks, which pay SpaceJobs.Now when you click one.
Free tools for this application: check your resume against this job, answer the application's questions or see every free tool.
New space manufacturing and technician jobs in Texas, by email
One email a week with the newest ones, straight from the employers' own careers sites, with the pay each posting states. Free, stop anytime.
About SpaceX
Designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.
Pay on its listings: 53.2% of its open jobs state an hourly rate
How it pays: Paid as an employee on SpaceX's own payroll (salaried or hourly, as each posting states).
More space manufacturing and technician jobs
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer I - Avionics & Test$115,200–$144,000/yr
- Senior Manufacturing Engineer II - Avionics & Test$132,000–$176,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer$100,000–$130,000/yr
- Manufacturing Engineer (Tanks)$68,000–$80,000/yr
- CNC Lathe Machinist I and II, Prototype Shop$29–$40/hr
- Manufacturing Engineer, Machining & Additive Associate (Winter 2027)$1,925/wk
A certified technician, machinist or welder?
One profile for every employer here. Space companies and their recruiters ask us for people with a specific degree, clearance, specialty or location: add yours once, and when a job fits, we introduce you, only with your yes. Free.
SpaceX openings, sent to you weekly
Each week we send the newest postings from SpaceX's own careers site, along with similar openings at other space employers. It costs nothing and you can stop anytime.