Apprentice Controls Technician

The job

LIVE Employer public job feed (private-sector employer) Source: the employer's public careers feed · Data: listed 2026-08-25

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.

APPRENTICE CONTROLS TECHNICIAN

The apprentice controls technician will support the build-up and maintenance of our data and control systems. These systems consist of varying data acquisition and control hardware, wiring and interface harnesses, and a wide variety of instrumentation. The goal of this team is to meet a variety of test requirements to achieve safe, economical, and reliable access to space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems
• Investigate, diagnose, correct, and document instrumentation or system malfunctions
• Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electrical and electronic units, assemblies, components, parts, equipment, and systems
• Perform wire terminations to a variety of instruments and verify sensor health: pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, limits, and flow meters
• Adjust, calibrate, align, and modify circuitry and components, and record effects on unit performance
• Read and interpret planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate's degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems or related field 
• Experience working with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, flow meters, multimeters, or oscilloscopes (experience from college program counts)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with any of the following instrumentation: resistance temperature devices (RTDs), silicon diode temperature devices, strain gauges, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, and flow meters (turbine, coriolis, and ultrasonic)
• IPC 620 spec for harness assembly 
• Basic knowledge of Wheatstone Bridge Theory, ability to apply Ohm's Law, and an understanding of DC electronics
• Operational knowledge of an oscilloscope and multi-meter, soldering wires and connectors, operation of various crimping tools, wire stripping, continuity testing, pinning out a military type connector, routing and tie wrapping cables, drilling and tapping holes, and building junction boxes
• System-level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives and motor starters, and knowledge in troubleshooting
• Knowledge in signal conditioning concepts for various types of sensors, to include the following: thermocouple Types K, S, and E; TC bonding concepts: resistance weld on and adhesive bond on types; TC probes through thermowell sheaths; cold junction compensation concepts
• Background should include experience with the following devices: DC power supplies, DC-DC convertors, UPS installations, heat shrink tubing, cable harnessing, lacing, and proper strain relief concepts
• Working knowledge of transducers, operational amplifiers, and the knowledge of measurement techniques for temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, vibration, and the application of strain gauges are also highly desired. Ability to identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, setting up equipment to conform to these specifications
• Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, Serial, USB, etc.) and data communication technologies
• Demonstrated capabilities in the development of comprehensive project plans that include all tasks, stage/gate milestones, and reviews necessary to successfully develop and implement solutions
• Intermediate skill level using Windows Operating Systems
• Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote)
• Knowledge in data acquisition concepts, hardware, and interfacing (SCXI and PXI-based)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Role may require extended hours, weekend work and shift schedules, that vary depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required
• Ability to lift heavy objects is required in this position, up to 50 pounds unassisted
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand
• Ability to work at elevated heights
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required
• Willing to travel to other SpaceX locations as necessary – up to 10%
• Valid driver’s license

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 reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

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Field: Retail, Hospitality and Services Sub-niche: Security, facilities and maintenance All jobs at SpaceX Jobs in Texas Jobs in McGregor, TX Texas state guide

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About the role

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The city

McGregor, TX is not one of the cities with its own page in our guides, so here is the state: Texas.

The state economy in brief

Texas is in the South region (West South Central division) and has 30,188,424 residents (the 2nd largest of the 50 states and DC by population), with a median age of 35.6. Its economy produced about $3,032,038 million in the latest four quarters (BEA), 2nd among states and DC, equal to $100,437 per resident.

Jobs and the labour market

The unemployment rate was 4.4% in 2026M09, which is 38th lowest of 51 (1st is the lowest). Employers had job openings equal to 4.1% of employment, 23rd highest of 51, a measure of how hard it is to hire. The median wage across all occupations is $48,620 a year ($23.38 an hour), 5% below the national median ($48,620 against $50,980).

What people do and what it pays

The occupations with the most jobs in Texas are Fast Food and Counter Workers (460,530 jobs, median $27,740); General and Operations Managers (431,310 jobs, median $103,230); Retail Salespersons (341,640 jobs, median $30,800); Customer Service Representatives (337,170 jobs, median $40,420); Home Health and Personal Care Aides (329,590 jobs, median $24,230). Among occupations with at least 2,000 jobs, the best paid are Cardiologists (median $410,150); Radiologists (median $319,320); Physicians, All Other (median $269,800). Compared with the nation, the state is most specialised in management (1.2 times the national share of workers) and installation, maintenance, and repair (1.2 times the national share of workers).

Cost of living, taxes and workplace rules

Prices are below the national average in Texas: the regional price parity is 97.1 against 100 for the whole country (27th lowest of 51). Median gross rent is $1,403 a month and the median household income $78,476, so a year of rent equals 21.5% of income; the median home value is $283,800. The state minimum wage is $7.25 (the higher of state and federal rates applies to most workers). State income tax on wages: No state tax on wages. It is a right-to-work state, meaning workers cannot be required to pay union dues as a condition of employment. It has no state paid family and medical leave programme in our source.

People and commuting

17.6% of residents were born abroad and 33.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Among workers, 71.4% drive alone, 0.9% use public transit and 14.4% work from home; 16.9% commute 45 minutes or more.

State guide: Texas →

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Food and hospitality (113) Fitness and personal care (29) Retail and stores (517)

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The employer

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Same sub-niche: Security, facilities and maintenance

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FAQ

What is the Apprentice Controls Technician job at SpaceX?

A private-sector role in retail, hospitality and services (security, facilities and maintenance) listed 76 days ago. The full description is on this page and on the employer's page.

Where is this job?

McGregor, TX.

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How much does it pay?

The listing does not publish pay, and we could not match the title to one official occupation.

What is the cost of living there?

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How old is this listing?

It was posted on 2026-08-25 (76 days ago). Jobs older than 90 days are not shown.

Are there similar jobs?

Yes: browse security, facilities and maintenance jobs in Texas.

Sources and terms

• Job data: SpaceX careers page public feed (listing dated 2026-08-25). The job disappears from this site when it disappears from the source.
• Wages and projections: BLS OEWS (May 2025) and Employment Projections 2025–35.
• City and county figures: Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, BEA, BLS QCEW and LAUS, NASA POWER climatology; distances from Census Gazetteer coordinates.

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Sources

• BLS OEWS (wages and employment by occupation, May 2025)
• BLS Employment Projections 2025–35
• BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics
• BLS JOLTS
• BLS State and Metro Area Employment
• Census Bureau American Community Survey (via Census Reporter)
• BEA GDP by state and Regional Price Parities
• IRS 2026 tax adjustments
• U.S. Department of Labor, minimum wage by state
• Tax Foundation state income tax rates 2026
• USAJOBS
• USCIS
• U.S. Department of State, visas
• NASA POWER climatology
• GeoNames / Census Gazetteer (coordinates)