Mechanical Spacecraft Technician

YOUR MISSION

As a Mechanical Spacecraft Technician, you will play a vital role in the assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft mechanical systems. You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to build spacecraft hardware from early development through environmental testing, flight readiness, and production ramp. This role may be leveled from Technician I to Technician III based on experience, skills, and demonstrated proficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Mechanical Assembly: Build, install, and inspect spacecraft mechanical hardware—including primary and secondary structures, panels, brackets, payloads, mechanisms, deployables, thermal hardware, fasteners, and support equipment—using engineering
drawings, work instructions, and process documentation.
Component Preparation and Handling: Prepare, clean, protect, and handle flight and flight-like hardware. Perform precision assembly operations including torqueing, safety wiring, staking, bonding, shimming, alignment, and mechanical fastening while maintaining hardware traceability and configuration control.
Spacecraft Integration: Support the integration of mechanical subsystems and components into spacecraft structures. Install and route hardware, perform fit checks and dimensional inspections, and support closeouts and access panel installation.
Testing and Validation: Support mechanical functional testing, deployment testing, alignment checks, mass properties measurements, vibration testing, acoustic testing, thermal vacuum testing, and other environmental test activities. Set up test hardware and
fixtures, follow approved procedures, and accurately record results.
Inspection and Troubleshooting: Perform visual, dimensional, and workmanship inspections. Identify and document hardware discrepancies, support nonconformance investigations, and work with engineering and quality teams to resolve assembly and integration issues.
Tooling and Ground Support Equipment: Operate and maintain hand tools, torque tools, precision measurement equipment, lifting equipment, assembly fixtures, and mechanical ground-support equipment. Support the development and improvement of tooling and work instructions.
Safety and Compliance: Follow requirements for FOD prevention, ESD control, cleanroom operations, hazardous materials, lifting and handling, contamination control, and safe work around energized and flight hardware.
Continuous Improvement: Provide feedback on assembly processes, drawings, work instructions, tooling, and manufacturing methods to improve safety, quality, repeatability, and schedule performance.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Technical degree, certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent training in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in spacecraft, aerospace, defense, automotive, precision manufacturing, or other high-reliability mechanical assembly environments.
• Experience assembling and integrating mechanical structures, mechanisms, brackets, panels, fasteners, or related hardware.
• Proficiency reading engineering drawings, schematics, work instructions, process sheets, and assembly procedures.
• Experience using hand tools, torque tools, precision measurement equipment, and mechanical test equipment.
• Experience with mechanical alignment, dimensional inspection, shimming, bonding, staking, or safety wiring.
• Experience working in ESD-sensitive, FOD-critical, and cleanroom environments.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and maintain accurate build, inspection, and
test documentation.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and work in and around constrained or confined spaces.

LEVELING GUIDANCE
Technician I: Develops proficiency in spacecraft mechanical assembly, hardware handling, documentation, and inspection while working under regular guidance. Typically has 0–1 years of relevant experience or equivalent technical training.
Technician II: Independently performs a broad range of mechanical assembly, integration, inspection, and test activities. Troubleshoots common issues and supports process improvements and peer training. Typically has 1–3 years of relevant experience.
Technician III: Performs complex mechanical assembly, integration, troubleshooting, and testing with limited supervision. Serves as a technical resource for other technicians and supports development hardware, environmental testing, flight readiness, and production ramp. Typically has 3+ years of relevant experience or equivalent demonstrated proficiency.

PREFERRED SKILLS
• Spacecraft or satellite mechanical assembly and integration
• Experience with primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Mechanical mechanisms, deployment systems, hinges, latches, or release devices
• Precision alignment and dimensional inspection
• Torque application, safety wiring, staking, shimming, and mechanical fastening
• Structural bonding, potting, or adhesive application
• Experience supporting vibration, acoustic, thermal vacuum, or other environmental testing
• Experience with lifting and handling flight hardware
• Familiarity with GD&T and mechanical inspection practices
• Experience with composite structures, lightweight materials, or additive-manufactured hardware
• Experience using coordinate measuring machines, laser trackers, optical tooling, or other alignment equipment
• Relevant certifications in mechanical assembly, rigging, machining, composites, or cleanroom operations 

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: 
  • Technician I :  $26.50-$36/hr
  • Technician II:  $31.50-$41.50/hr
  • Technician III: $36-50.50/hr
  • *this position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime 
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

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, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—this a fully onsite position based out of our Centennial, CO office.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite