GSE Build Technician II

Hydrogen Group is hiring on behalf of a confidential client, a leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing organization supporting complex vehicle production, testing, and launch operations.

Position Overview

We are seeking a GSE Build Technician II to support the fabrication, installation, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting of ground support equipment (GSE) used across rocket production, test, and launch environments.

This is a hands-on Level II technician position requiring the ability to independently execute assigned work with limited supervision. The role will work closely with Engineering, Test Operations, Launch Operations, Quality, EH&S, and other technical teams to construct and maintain mechanical systems, fluid systems, test infrastructure, launch equipment, and related facility systems.

The work may involve stainless-steel tubing and piping, valves, regulators, instrumentation, manifolds, structural components, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, high-pressure gas and cryogenic systems, pumps, and other mechanical GSE.

Technicians at this level are expected to take ownership of assigned scopes—from reviewing technical documentation and gathering the appropriate tools and materials through fabrication, installation, troubleshooting, testing, and final documentation. The ability to identify and address routine issues independently, while knowing when to involve Engineering, Quality, EH&S, or leadership, is essential.

This position is based at a rocket production facility in Briggs, Texas, north of Cedar Park.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently execute GSE fabrication, installation, maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, modification, and upgrade activities across production, test, launch, and facility environments.
• Build mechanical and fluid assemblies using released engineering drawings and technical documentation, including tubing, piping, valves, regulators, gauges, instrumentation, manifolds, panels, structural supports, and related components.
• Prepare, measure, bend, route, fit, and install stainless-steel tubing and piping using approved fabrication practices.
• Assemble and install a variety of mechanical and fluid-system interfaces, including compression fittings, NPT, AN/MS-style connections, flanges, and other approved connection types.
• Select and install appropriate fittings, seals, fasteners, and related hardware based on system requirements.
• Perform torque and controlled-fastener installation using calibrated equipment while maintaining proper component orientation, accessibility, cleanliness, support, and overall workmanship.
• Interpret mechanical drawings, fabrication and assembly documentation, schematics, P&IDs, work instructions, and other technical information to execute assigned work and verify installed configurations.
• Identify discrepancies between field conditions and engineering requirements and communicate issues through the appropriate channels.
• Prepare for upcoming work by determining required tooling, materials, hardware, consumables, access equipment, and other resources.
• Coordinate concurrent activities and plan work efficiently to reduce equipment or operational downtime.
• Conduct visual and dimensional inspections, troubleshooting, leak checks, flushing, cleaning, commissioning, system verification, and other qualified testing activities.
• Assist with high-pressure gas, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, pump, valve, and other stored-energy systems, including hydrostatic and pneumatic testing when properly trained and authorized.
• Adhere to established requirements for pressure systems, exclusion zones, barricades, stored energy, lockout/tagout (LOTO), FOD, ESD, PPE, contamination control, cleanliness, and other applicable safety and quality procedures.
• Escalate technical, safety, quality, or operational concerns to Engineering, Quality, EH&S, or leadership when appropriate.
• Provide field feedback regarding constructability, maintainability, accessibility, and system operability.
• Support construction, modification, commissioning, verification, maintenance, and upgrade work at test stands and launch facilities.
• Participate in rigging, crane, forklift, aerial-lift, and other material-handling activities when appropriately trained and qualified.
• Maintain clean, organized, test-ready workspaces and complete required inspections of equipment and work areas.
• Record completed work, installation details, photographs, discrepancies, constraints, and open actions within JIRA or other designated electronic work-management platforms.
• Work collaboratively with other technicians and functional groups and provide hands-on guidance and informal mentorship to Level I technicians.
• Contribute ideas and participate in continuous improvement efforts related to tooling, fabrication techniques, work sequencing, organization, and execution processes.
• Provide hands-on support for Test and Launch activities as directed by the applicable operations or engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 3 years of professional hands-on experience in mechanical fabrication, maintenance, aerospace, aviation, military, industrial construction, process piping, or a related technical discipline.
• Proven ability to independently perform mechanical fabrication, assembly, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting work.
• Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, calibrated/torque tools, and basic precision measurement equipment.
• Ability to interpret and work from mechanical drawings, fabrication or assembly drawings, schematics, P&IDs, work instructions, and similar technical documentation.
• Practical experience with tubing, piping, valves, fittings, hydraulic or pneumatic equipment, process equipment, or comparable mechanical fluid systems.
• Understanding of workmanship standards, configuration control, cleanliness, safety practices, and technical documentation requirements.
• Ability to organize and execute routine assignments without constant oversight, recognize areas of technical uncertainty, and obtain clarification rather than making unapproved changes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple technical and operational teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a strong focus on safety and quality.
• Ability to safely lift a minimum of 30 pounds, remain standing for extended periods, and work in industrial, production, test-stand, launch-site, and outdoor environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel to project locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in engineering technology, mechanical technology, aviation maintenance, welding, industrial technology, or a related technical field.
• A&P license, relevant trade certification, or advanced military technical training.
• Previous experience in aerospace GSE, launch operations, rocket testing, aviation maintenance, military maintenance, oil and gas, semiconductor/high-purity environments, chemical or process facilities, power generation, shipyards, or industrial mechanical construction.
• Hands-on experience fabricating stainless-steel tubing, including manual tube bending and tube preparation.
• Experience working with Swagelok or comparable compression-fitting systems.
• Familiarity with NPT, AN, MS, flange, Grayloc, or similar fluid-system connections and welded tubing/piping assemblies.
• Experience working with high-pressure gas, cryogenic, hydraulic, pneumatic, oxygen-clean/high-purity systems, pressure testing, hydrostatic proof testing, pneumatic leak testing, or system commissioning.
• Exposure to orbital tube welding processes or associated preparation requirements.
• Experience operating or working around cranes, rigging equipment, forklifts, telehandlers, boom lifts, or similar material-handling equipment.
• Experience managing controlled hazardous energy, LOTO, pressurized systems, and other stored-energy hazards.
• Familiarity with ASME B31.3 or comparable industrial piping standards.
• Experience using JIRA, electronic work-order platforms, MES, SAP, Maximo, Confluence, Microsoft Office, or similar systems.
• Experience creating photographic installation records or other documentation used for configuration control.

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