Sr. Engineering Technician

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Reporting To: Rob Garcia

Compensation: $40.00 - $50.00 / hour

Description

What you'll do:

• Perform complex mechanical assembly and integration of aerospace hardware, including structural assemblies, brackets, mechanisms, enclosures, and rover sub-systems
• Interpret engineering drawings, assembly models, bills of materials, work instructions, and engineering specifications to execute hardware builds accurately
• Install mechanical fasteners, bearings, bushings, inserts, seals, and other precision components using appropriate assembly techniques and calibrated tooling
• Perform precision fitting, alignment, dimensional verification, and mechanical adjustments as required
• Apply proper torque procedures, fastener locking methods, witness marking, and hardware handling practices in accordance with engineering requirements
• Identify assembly discrepancies, tolerance issues, damaged components, and design-for-assembly concerns; coordinate resolution with Engineering

• Integrate structural hardware, avionics components, electrical harnesses, sensors, actuators, and associated interfaces into complex aerospace systems
• Route, dress, secure, and inspect harnesses to meet engineering requirements for clearance, bend radius, strain relief, abrasion protection, and serviceability
• Verify mechanical interfaces, connector engagement, harness pinouts, and component installation against approved documentation
• Coordinate with Avionics and Electrical Engineering to resolve integration conflicts, interface issues, and installation challenges
• Support rover-level integration activities, including the installation and interconnection of structural, mechanical, and electrical sub-systems
• Maintain hardware cleanliness, ESD controls, and appropriate handling practices when working with sensitive spaceflight components

• Execute functional tests on mechanical assemblies, avionics hardware, electrical sub-systems, and integrated rover systems
• Perform pre-test inspections, test setup, equipment configuration, and hardware readiness checks
• Follow approved test procedures, engineering instructions, acceptance criteria, and safety requirements
• Operate test equipment and instrumentation such as digital multimeters, insulation tester, bench power supplies, torque tools, data acquisition equipment, and other system-specific test equipment. 
• Support electrical continuity checks, sensor and actuator verification, power-on activities, communication checks, and system functional verification
• Document test results, discrepancies, anomalies, and corrective actions with sufficient detail to support engineering review and resolution
• Assist Test Engineering with development testing, regression testing, integration testing, and environmental test preparation

• Serve as a technical resource and mentor for Engineering Technicians and other personnel performing assembly and integration work
• Demonstrate and reinforce proper mechanical assembly, harness handling, hardware integration, and test execution practices
• Help establish and maintain consistent workmanship standards and repeatable processes across engineering development and production activities
• Communicate build status, technical risks, material issues, and test findings clearly to engineering and production leadership
• Take ownership of assigned hardware and integration tasks from initial assembly through functional verification and closeout

What you'll bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent, with technical training, vocational education, military technical training, or equivalent hands-on experience in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical systems
• 5 or more years of hands-on experience assembling, integrating, and testing complex mechanical or electromechanical hardware
• Demonstrated experience with mechanical sub-assembly, functional testing, and integration of structural, avionics, and harness hardware
• Experience with precision mechanical assembly, fastener installation, torque requirements, and calibrated tools
• Demonstrated experience of adhering to hardware cleanliness, ESD protection, configuration control, and quality workmanship

• Experience building, integrating, or testing spacecraft, launch vehicle, aerospace, robotics, or other high-reliability electromechanical systems
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, assembly procedures, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation
• Experience integrating structural assemblies, avionics enclosures, power distribution systems, control electronics, sensors, and actuators
• Familiarity with harness installation, connector mating, pinout verification, continuity testing, and cable routing requirements
• Experience supporting system-level functional tests and integrated hardware verification
• Familiarity with environmental testing, including vibration, thermal vacuum, thermal cycling, or other qualification test campaigns
• Experience with precision measurement tools, dimensional inspection, and alignment verification
• Ability to execute functional test procedures, recognize unexpected behavior, and systematically troubleshoot hardware issues
• Familiarity with engineering change orders, nonconformance reports, material traceability, and hardware configuration management
• Experience supporting prototype development, engineering builds, hardware rework, and production process improvements
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and collaborate effectively across engineering disciplines
• Ability to provide technical mentorship and informal leadership within a technician team

Benefits and Perks

• Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
• Equity ownership in the company
• Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Flexible PTO and parental leave
• Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
• Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks