1

Drag Racing Mechanic Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Flight Dynamics Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Strong foundation in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and flight dynamics analysis * Proficiency ... Solid understanding of orbital perturbations (J2, atmospheric drag, SRP, third-body effects) and ...

Sr. Flight Dynamics Engineer

Burlingame, CA · On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Strong foundation in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and flight dynamics analysis * Proficiency ... Solid understanding of orbital perturbations (J2, atmospheric drag, SRP, third-body effects) and ...

Showing results 21-28

Drag Racing Mechanic information

See California salary details

$12

$24

$36

How much do drag racing mechanic jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for drag racing mechanic in California is $24.49, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $28.46 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drag racing mechanic?

A Drag Racing Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, tuning, and repairing high-performance drag racing vehicles. They ensure that engines, transmissions, suspension systems, and other critical components are optimized for maximum speed and reliability. These mechanics work closely with drivers and racing teams to analyze performance data and make necessary adjustments. Their expertise in high-horsepower engines, fuel systems, and aerodynamics is essential for achieving top performance on the track.

What does a drag racing mechanic do?

A typical workday for a Drag Racing Mechanic involves inspecting and tuning race vehicles, conducting repairs and modifications as needed, and preparing cars for upcoming races. You’ll work closely with drivers, crew chiefs, and other team members to optimize performance and troubleshoot any mechanical issues that arise during testing or at the track. Days can be fast-paced, especially during race events, and may involve travel to various racing venues. Staying flexible and organized is important, as priorities can shift rapidly based on team needs and competition schedules.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a drag racing mechanic?

To thrive as a Drag Racing Mechanic, you need expert knowledge of high-performance engines, drivetrain systems, and racing safety protocols, often supported by automotive technician training or ASE certification. Familiarity with specialized diagnostic tools, data logging systems, and race preparation equipment is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this fast-paced environment. These skills ensure reliable vehicle performance, quick troubleshooting, and safety during high-pressure race events.

How do you become a drag racing mechanic?

To become a drag racing mechanic, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by technical training or an apprenticeship in automotive repair. Gaining experience working with high-performance engines and specialized tools, along with certifications like ASE, can improve job prospects in this specialized field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California?

For Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drag Racing Mechanic jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Drag Racing Mechanic job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $50,937 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Sr. Flight Dynamics Engineer

Burlingame, CA • On-site

$118K - $162K/yr

Other

Posted 27 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Support the design, deployment, and ongoing operations of a large LEO satellite constellation, including constellation architecture, orbital analysis, and maneuver planning.

  • Perform orbital analysis tasks such as orbit selection, station-keeping strategies, and long-term orbital maintenance, including collision avoidance and conjunction assessment.

  • Generate and validate orbital state products, plan and optimize maneuvers, and collaborate with mission operations and spacecraft systems teams to ensure safe and compliant orbital behavior.


Job description

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar – the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit – Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

We are seeking a Sr. Flight Dynamics Engineer to support the design, deployment, and ongoing operations of a large LEO satellite constellation. This role owns constellation architecture, orbital analysis, maneuver planning, collision avoidance, and long-term orbital maintenance across the full mission lifecycle from early design through on-orbit operations.

What You’ll Do
  • Design and analyze constellation architectures, including orbital regimes, plane spacing, phasing strategies, and deployment concepts

  • Perform trade studies for orbit selection (altitude, inclination, RAAN distribution, phasing) to meet coverage, lifetime, and regulatory requirements

  • Define station-keeping strategies and long-term orbit maintenance concepts for a large multi-satellite constellation

  • Generate, validate, and maintain orbital state products, including TLEs and high-fidelity ephemerides

  • Plan and optimize orbit insertion, phasing, station-keeping, and end-of-life disposal maneuvers while managing propellant usage and operational constraints

  • Perform conjunction assessment and collision risk analysis; develop collision avoidance (COLA) maneuver plans

  • Partner closely with mission operations, spacecraft systems, GNC, and software teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant orbital behavior across the constellation

Required Qualifications
  • 7+ years of experience in the spacecraft or satellite industry supporting LEO or MEO constellation missions

  • Strong foundation in orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, and flight dynamics analysis

  • Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as STK, GMAT, FreeFlyer, or equivalent

  • Experience with orbit determination and estimation tools (e.g., ODTK or similar)

  • Solid understanding of orbital perturbations (J2, atmospheric drag, SRP, third-body effects) and their impact on long-term orbital behavior

  • Experience analyzing spacecraft dynamics, control authority, and propulsion performance as they relate to trajectory design and constellation geometry

  • Familiarity with conjunction assessment, collision avoidance workflows, and regulatory/compliance considerations (e.g., debris mitigation, SpaceTrack, SDS)

Desired Qualifications
  • Experience supporting on-orbit operations for large, multi-plane constellations

  • Hands-on involvement in maneuver planning and execution during flight operations

  • Proficiency with scripting and analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, or Bash

  • Experience working cross-functionally with GNC, mission ops, and flight software teams

  • Familiarity with regulatory interfaces and operational coordination with external entities

For U.S. Roles: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

For U.K. Roles: To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

For Canada Roles: Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

#J-18808-Ljbffr