---
title: 'Development Test Technician (Mechanical) at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/development-test-technician-mechanical-spacex-mcgregor-7tn5c4h0eb19'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Development Test Technician (Mechanical) at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Mcgregor, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-01-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8378521002?gh_jid=8378521002

## Job description

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.

## DEVELOPMENT TEST TECHNICIAN (MECHANICAL)

Development test technicians get to assemble, troubleshoot, repair, and perform regular maintenance, work on flight and development engines, and support test and build equipment and tooling. Development test technicians support the company by building and maintaining flight-worthy spacecraft engines, components, and associated test equipment, supporting engineering in suggesting and implementing process improvements, and maintaining a clean and safe work environment. These technicians support activities in the engine assembly area, as well as enjoy working outside at the rocket development facility, on our development test (R&D) stands, supporting test operations first-hand. Development test technicians enjoy witnessing the rumbling of rocket engines throughout the day. We work as a highly integrated team and job responsibilities will include helping other programs to ensure the overall success of SpaceX.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Prepare test articles, test stands, and systems for test operations
- Ensure all test stand-related equipment, systems, and servicing are performed on time, safely, and in a professional manner
- Perform post-test operations and inspections to ensure flight-worthy hardware
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment and instrumentation as needed
- Fabricate, repair, and assemble hardware/equipment needed for test operations
- Collaborate with engineers to develop and document activities
- Ensure all components and materials are clean and inspected according to applicable standards
- Operate and maintain hardware, high-pressure systems and pumps, and other ancillary equipment including pneumatic components
- Obtain and maintain licenses, operator permits, or certifications as required
- Monitor and maintain a reasonable inventory of cryogenic equipment, pneumatic equipment, fittings, hoses, and other supplies necessary to perform test operations
- Acquire proper inventory parts and equipment needed for repair or replacement of defective components
- Process work orders and maintenance tickets
- Perform a variety of related duties in support of acceptance and development testing, as well as testing site-wide, as needed
- Develop novel ways site-wide to streamline processes and increase the reliability of testing operations
- Participate in rigging and crane operations for test equipment and test articles; including hangar bridge cranes and mobile crane lifts

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 3+ years of experience working with and troubleshooting complex mechanical systems, high-pressure fluid/pneumatic systems, or heavy equipment
- 3+ years of experience using power tools, hand tools, and calibrated tooling

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic (A&P) license
- Experience in airframe structural repair
- Experience in aviation electronics and avionics
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) certification or training
- Experience with the testing process and optimization of test processes
- Experience with hydraulic plumbing repair/fabrication
- Experience in ground support equipment in the aerospace industry
- Experience in the space exploration industry, aviation, military, or other high-reliability operating environment
- Basic computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office and photo generation/compilation
- Knowledge of vacuum systems
- Knowledge of all types of bore scope inspection equipment
- Knowledge of different fittings such as NPT, MS, AN, and Swagelok
- A demonstrated ability to read/understand technical manuals and reports
- Ability to read, and understand operating system schematics and drawings
- Use of precision measuring instruments/equipment
- Communication skills for relaying data (verbally and in writing) between other employees and customers
- Experience with rigging, cranes, and lift operations
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
- Experience with analog and digital instrumentation (load cells, pressure transducers, strain gauges, RTDs, TCs, encoders, deflection gages, LVDTs, accelerometers, IMUs)

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Valid driver’s license
- Flight hardware typically is built in tight quarters and physical dexterity is necessary to perform job functions
- The ability to lift heavy objects is required in this position (up to 25lbs unassisted)
- Must be able to work at elevated heights (up to 300 feet) with proper PPE
- Must be able to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, etc.
- Must be able to work in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, noise, and hazardous environments
- Must be able to work in elevated PPE, including supplied air respirators and chemical-resistant self-encapsulating suits
- Must be available to work overtime, weekends, and rotating shifts as needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required
- Must be able to and available for travel (up to 20% of the time), including military and government installations

## 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](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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.

## About SpaceX

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft while building a global satellite broadband network and AI infrastructure to enable interplanetary life.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq: SPCX) – IPO priced at $135/share on June 12, 2026
- **Headquarters**: Starbase, Texas (primary); Hawthorne, California (historical headquarters)
- **Founded**: 2002
- **Founders**: Elon Musk

## Core Business
- **Industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Spaceflight, Satellite Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence
- **Target Customers**: Government (NASA, U.S. Armed Forces, international agencies), Commercial satellite operators, Broadband consumers (Starlink), Defense/intelligence (Starshield)
- **Mission**: To make humanity multiplanetary by building the integrated hardware and software infrastructure of the future across space, connectivity, and AI.

## Products & Services
- **Falcon 9**: Reusable two-stage rocket – the world’s most launched orbital rocket, with over 630 successful first-stage reflights.
- **Falcon Heavy**: Heavy-lift launch vehicle composed of three Falcon 9 cores; capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons to orbit.
- **Starship**: Fully reusable super-heavy launch vehicle and spacecraft (largest ever built) designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- **Dragon 2**: Crew and cargo spacecraft used for NASA Commercial Crew and private missions to the ISS and beyond.
- **Starlink**: Low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to over 10.3 million people globally.
- **Starshield**: Military-grade satellite services for national security and defense customers.
- **SpaceXAI**: Division focused on AI compute infrastructure, frontier models, and real-time data processing (including AI compute satellites).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Conflicting reports – Internal share offer in 2025 valued SpaceX at **$800 billion**; IPO pricing (June 2026) implied a market capitalization of approximately **$75 billion** for the shares offered.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of **$15.0 billion** (2025); total funding raised **$15.2 billion** across 56 rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Google (led $1B Series G), Intesa Sanpaolo, NASA, U.S. Space Force, and numerous institutional investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount of **11,387** (monthly growth +2.5%); **1,671 active job postings**; Falcon 9 launch cadence of 1–3 per week; Starlink subscriber base covering ~10.3 million people; recent acquisition of xAI (February 2026).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full reusability**: Only company with a fleet of reusable orbital rockets (Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy), dramatically lowering per-launch cost.
- **Vertical integration**: Designs, manufactures, and operates its own rockets, spacecraft, satellite constellation, and AI platform – enabling rapid iteration and cost control.
- **Scale and reliability**: More orbital launches per year than any other provider (public or private); proven track record with NASA and DoD.
- **First-mover in commercial spaceflight**: Established crew transport, satellite internet, and now AI compute in orbit.

## Strategic Focus
- **Starship development**: Complete testing and operational deployment of the fully reusable Starship system for lunar (Artemis) and Mars missions.
- **Starlink expansion**: Grow subscriber base, launch V3 satellites, and extend mobile and direct-to-cell services.
- **AI integration**: Leverage SpaceXAI for on-orbit compute and real-time data analytics; build AI compute satellites.
- **Interplanetary infrastructure**: Develop technologies for sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Employees directly contribute to making life multiplanetary – “hard work and innovative solutions result in big gains.”
- **Impactful projects**: Work on reusable rockets, crewed spacecraft, global broadband, and AI systems that are actively changing the space industry.
- **Compensation**: Competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and equity packages.
- **Work locations**: Primary campuses in Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX (with additional sites in Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA). Roles span engineering, software, manufacturing, and support.
- **Engineering culture**: Merit-based, fast-paced, with high ownership; top talent sourced from Tesla, Boeing, NASA JPL, and other aerospace leaders.
- **Open roles**: Over 1,600 active positions across software, AI, avionics, propulsion, supply chain, and more – including internships.

## Sources
1. [SpaceX Careers Page](https://www.spacex.com/careers)
2. [LinkedIn – SpaceX Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacex)
3. [SpaceX IPO Factsheet (PDF)](https://content.spacex.com/cms-assets/FINAL_Documents%20and%20Updates/SpaceX%20IPO_Factsheet.pdf)
4. [SpaceX IPO Pricing Press Release](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx)
5. [SpaceX Jobs Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacex)

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