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.

RECOVERY TECHNICIAN, LONG BEACH (DRAGON)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Recover flown hardware at sea to prepare for refurbishment
  • Operate and work from small boats and watercraft in the ocean
  • Ensure recovery operations are performed on time, safely and in a professional manner
  • Perform work according to procedures, specifications, and test instructions
  • Read and interpret blueprints and schematics
  • Stage, set up, assemble/disassemble, and run test procedures
  • Install/remove flight hardware using precision calibrated tools (torque wrenches, calipers, etc)
  • Maintenance of recovery systems and work areas including replacing parts, painting, greasing, and cleaning
  • Maintain safety protocols while working in hazardous environments with toxic and flammable chemicals
  • Maintain facility operations including organization, maintenance and safety of facility
  • Collaborate with recovery engineers to develop and document improvement to operations
  • Use various mechanical tools without instruction
  • Maintain accountability and perform maintenance of tools and equipment
  • Perform other related duties for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate 
  • 1+ years of professional hands-on experience in hardware assembly, test, maintenance and/or installation; OR certificate from an accredited trade skills program in airframe & powerplant (A&P), manufacturing, and/or electronics
  • 1+ years of experience troubleshooting mechanical systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Maritime experience
  • Airframe & powerplant (A&P) license or aerospace technology certification
  • Experience working in self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble (SCAPE), LEVEL A hazmat suit, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hardline respirator and other HAZMAT PPE
  • Prior experience working with launch vehicles or marine vessels
  • Prior experience supporting recovery efforts
  • Knowledge of pressure, temperature and flow measurement devices
  • Experience operating forklifts, cranes and heavy equipment
  • Experience with hydrostatic and pneumatic testing
  • A demonstrated ability in reading and understanding technical drawings, manuals and reports
  • Able to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Willing to travel >50% for the first year to train at Cape Canaveral
  • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg
  • Position requires ability to obtain Merchant Mariner credential, which includes pre-employment and random drug testing in accordance with 46 CFR 16 and 49 CFR 40
  • Ability to pass a self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble (SCAPE) physical fitness test
  • Willing to train and work with toxic and flammable chemicals
  • Ability to work on offshore vessels for extended durations without access to emergency services normally available on shore
  • Ability to climb ladders, work at height and in tight spaces
  • Ability to climb up and down stairs regularly throughout the day
  • Ability to operate heavy machinery
  • Willing to operate small support boats in open ocean conditions
  • Ability to lift and handle up to 35 lbs. unassisted
  • Ability to work in confined spaces
  • Willing to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, wind, open ocean
  • Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
  • When necessary, must be willing to work long hours and weekends to support launch and critical project timelines

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Recovery Technician/Level 1: $20.00 - $27.00/hour    
Recovery Technician/Level 2: $25.00 - $32.50/hour    
Recovery Technician/Level 3: $30.00 - $38.00/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 at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.

Apply for this Job

* Required
resume chosen  
(File types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf)
When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review
+ Add another education


Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.


Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.


Enter the verification code sent to to confirm you are not a robot, then submit your application.

This application was flagged as potential bot traffic. To resubmit your application, turn off any VPNs, clear the browser's cache and cookies, or try another browser. If you still can't submit it, contact our support team through the help center.