Development Technician; PCBA - 2nd Shift; Starlink

Position: Development Technician (PCBA) - 2nd Shift (Starlink)
Space

X 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 Space

X is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN (PCBA) - 2nd Shift

This role serves as the bridge between production execution and engineering development for the Starlink PCBA team. You will apply hands-on SMT expertise to support the transition of hardware from early development through qualification and into rate production. Working closely with Engineering and Production teams, you will build and troubleshoot pre-production and qualification hardware while helping optimize SMT processes and production lines.

The ideal candidate: has strong SMT/PCBA experience; enjoys working directly with engineers; proven skills for troubleshooting complex issues; possesses excellent attention to detail; and thrives in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Support production engineering during development and pre-production phases by building, assembling, and testing pre-production, qualification, and flight PCBA hardware

* Assist with initial PCBA line setup, equipment programming, qualification of test setups, and transition of new designs into production

* Program, load, and operate automated SMT production machines including pick & place, reflow ovens, stencil printers, conformal coating, AOI, and X-ray systems

* Operate and troubleshoot SMT equipment (pick & place, reflow ovens, stencil printers, conformal coating, AOI, X-ray) with a focus on process stability and yield improvement

* Perform rework and recovery on non-conforming hardware while maintaining design integrity and documenting root causes

* Support continuous improvement projects including test rack builds, factory automation, and production line enhancements

* Thoroughly document processes, failures, and improvements using data to drive corrective actions and yield increases

* Provide surge support for critical production, qualification, or development builds

* Collaborate with engineers to give real-time feedback on manufacturability, DFM opportunities, and process issues

* Assist with training of junior technicians on SMT equipment operation and basic troubleshooting

* Work with production support teams to guarantee the daily success of PCBA production safely, reliably, and at rate

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

* High school diploma or equivalency certificate

* 1+ years of hands-on experience in SMT/PCBA manufacturing, assembly, or test

PREFERRED

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

* Associates degree, apprenticeship, or military electronics technician training

* Experience working directly with engineers in development or new process introduction (NPI) environments

* Hands-on experience programming and optimizing SMT processes (pick & place, reflow, conformal coating, through-hole, AOI, or X-ray inspection)

* Proficiency reading and interpreting schematics, assembly drawings, Gerber files, and work instructions

* Soldering experience with IPC-A-610 or J-STD-001 certification (Class 2 or
3)

* Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with minimal supervision

* Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and basic ERP systems

* Excellent attention to detail with the ability to identify subtle defects and maintain high-quality output in a high-volume environment

* Positive attitude, strong team player, and willingness to provide constructive feedback to improve designs and tooling

* Previous aerospace, automotive, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing experience

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Production Development Technician/Level 1: $23.00 - $29.00/hour

Production Development Technician/Level 2: $28.00 - $34.50/hour

Production Development Technician/Level 3: $33.00 - $40.00/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  may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in…