GSE Build Technician III

Job Description

The GSE Build Technician III is a senior-level, hands-on technical contributor responsible for the fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, modification, commissioning, and verification of Ground Support Equipment (GSE) used to support production, testing, and launch operations. This role independently executes highly complex mechanical and fluid-system work with minimal supervision, serves as a technical leader on critical projects, identifies engineering constraints, and drives assigned objectives through completion. The technician provides mentorship and technical direction to lower-level technicians while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, configuration control, and documentation.

Key Responsibilities Lead and execute complex fabrication, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, modification, and commissioning of launch pad, test stand, production, and facility GSE systems. Independently build, integrate, and verify fluid, pneumatic, hydraulic, cryogenic, and mechanical systems from engineering documentation. Develop work plans, identify predecessor and successor activities, and coordinate parallel work streams. Serve as a technical lead for critical system builds, modifications, and troubleshooting activities. Install and maintain complex tubing, piping, wiring, instrumentation, control panels, support systems, and related assemblies. Read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, fabrication drawings, schematics, specifications, procedures, and engineering documentation. Identify and resolve discrepancies between engineering requirements, hardware configurations, and field conditions. Diagnose and troubleshoot highly complex mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, high-pressure, cryogenic, and fluid-system issues. Develop corrective actions and implement solutions while minimizing operational and schedule impacts. Ensure compliance with technical requirements, standards, specifications, and configuration management processes. Lead by example in safety, maintaining strict adherence to LOTO, PPE, pressure-system controls, tool accountability, cleanliness standards, and FOD prevention. Review completed work for quality, system readiness, and operational compliance. Support inspections, preventive maintenance activities, test operations, and launch campaign requirements. Coordinate with engineering, production, operations, quality, and safety teams to ensure successful project execution. Provide mentorship, training, and technical oversight to Build Technicians I and II. Assist with development of procedures, work instructions, training materials, and process improvements. Support anomaly investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation. Travel occasionally and work extended schedules, nights, weekends, or holidays as mission requirements dictate.

Skills and Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent certificate. 5+ years of professional hands-on mechanical, aerospace, fabrication, industrial, military, aviation, process-piping, test, launch, or equivalent technical experience. Demonstrated advanced mechanical and fluid-system fabrication, installation, maintenance, or integration capability. Demonstrated experience independently executing complex technical scopes with limited supervision. Strong experience reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, P&IDs, schematics, and technical procedures. Demonstrated experience working with tubing, piping, valves, regulators, instrumentation, pressure systems, pneumatic systems, hydraulic systems, or comparable industrial fluid systems. Demonstrated advanced troubleshooting capability. Ability to identify the root cause of mechanical or system problems and develop an appropriate path toward resolution. Demonstrated ability to plan and sequence technical work. Ability to identify predecessor and successor work and recognize activities that can be performed in parallel. Demonstrated ability to identify technical and logistical blockers before they significantly affect execution. Strong understanding of workmanship, configuration control, inspections, and technical documentation. Ability to differentiate between engineering-level decisions and authority, and less requiring Engineering, Quality, EHS, or leadership disposition. Ability to work effectively through Engineering, Operations, Quality, Production, and technician organizations. Ability to manage changing priorities while maintaining safe, disciplined technical execution. Ability to safely lift at least 30 pounds. Ability to stand for extended periods and work in industrial, production, test-stand, and outdoor environments. Associate degree or higher in Engineering Technology, Mechanical Technology, Welding Technology, Aviation Maintenance, Industrial Technology, or a related technical field. A&P license, journeyman-level trade qualification, advanced military technical training, or equivalent recognized technical credential. Extensive experience with aerospace GSE, launch systems, propulsion testing, rocket-test infrastructure, aircraft systems, industrial process systems, oil and gas, semiconductor/high-purity systems, chemical facilities, shipyards, power generation, or comparable high-reliability industries. Advanced stainless-steel tubing fabrication experience. Advanced knowledge of tube routing, bending, compression-fitting installation, and support practices. Experience with process piping and welded piping systems. Experience supporting or performing orbital tube-welding activities. Knowledge of Swagelok or comparable compression-fitting systems. Experience with: PT, AN, MS, Grayloc, Code 61/Code 62, flanged, or comparable fluid interfaces. High-pressure gas systems. Cryogenic fluid systems. Hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Pumps, regulators, valves, instrumentation, and pressure-control systems. Hydrostatic proof testing and pneumatic leak or functional testing. Oxygen-clean, high-purity, or contamination-controlled fluid systems. Familiarity with industry standards such as ASME B31.3, CGA practices, ASTM requirements, or comparable industry standards. Experience working within formal FOD, ESD, contamination-control, configuration-control, or aerospace quality systems. Experience with root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement methodologies. Experience with crane operations, rigging, aerial lifts, forklifts, telehandlers, and industrial material handling. Experience with JIRA, Confluence, MES, SAP, Maximo, electronic work orders, Microsoft Office, or comparable systems. Previous Senior Technician, Lead Technician, Integration Technician, GSE Technician, Test Technician, Fluid Systems Technician, Aircraft Maintenance Technician, Pipefitter, or comparable senior hands-on technical experience.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected].