Vacuum Test Technician
Full-time onsite role in the San Francisco Bay Area
Industry: Aerospace / Space Propulsion & Environmental Testing
Working with a space company that designs and tests propulsion systems and launch tech to make orbital missions faster and more flexible. Their focus is on hardware that powers satellites and gets them reliably into space.
Hiring a Vacuum Test Technician to run one of the largest private-sector vacuum chambers – a 15-foot-high, 40-foot-long, 20-foot-wide facility with multiple antichambers for parallel testing. This is a hands-on role where you’ll set up, operate, and analyze large-scale vacuum tests that prove flight hardware can survive space conditions.
You’ll script automated sequences, collect and interpret data in real time, troubleshoot pumps and instrumentation, and ensure every test meets strict safety and cleanliness standards. Expect close collaboration with test engineers to refine procedures and keep the chamber running at peak performance.
What you’ll do:
- Operate and maintain large vacuum chambers for pressure, temperature, and cleanliness
- Set up and execute test campaigns for propulsion and spacecraft hardware
- Write and run automated scripts to control test sequences and chamber systems
- Collect, log, and analyze test data to confirm pass/fail outcomes
- Work with engineers to improve procedures, automation, and sensor setups
- Assemble test fixtures, sensors, and feed lines per engineering drawings
- Troubleshoot pumps, controls, and instrumentation during live tests
- Perform leak checks, maintain chamber health, and ensure safe operations
- Follow strict protocols for high-voltage, high-vacuum, and cryogenic work
- Document runs, anomalies, and results with clear, precise records
What you bring:
- 2+ years operating vacuum chambers or thermal vacuum systems
- Experience setting up and running complex tests with digital or automated controls
- Solid understanding of vacuum pumps, pressure systems, and instrumentation
- Proven ability to collect and interpret test data for success/failure calls
- Familiarity with LabVIEW, NI systems, or similar DAQ and automation tools
- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills
- Ability to read drawings and schematics
- Safety-first mindset and attention to detail
- Flexibility for non-standard hours during test campaigns
- High school diploma or GED; technical certification or associate degree a plus
Nice to have:
- Testing of spacecraft propulsion or thrusters
- Cleanroom experience, vacuum safety, or contamination control
- Knowledge of cryogenics, pressure regulation, or thermal systems
- Familiarity with MIL-STD-1540, NASA GEVS, or similar standards
- Basic soldering, wiring, or fab skills
Why this role:
- Run one of the biggest and most capable vacuum test facilities in private space
- Directly qualify hardware that flies to orbit
- Work alongside engineers who rely on your precision and problem-solving
- Join a tight-knit team where your work shapes launch success
- Build deep expertise in vacuum ops, automation, and space-grade testing
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Full-time onsite
Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.
Adam Slade