WELDING ENGINEER (RAPTOR/STARSHIP)

This position will support manufacturing and development of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Starship launch vehicles, Dragon spacecraft, and Starlink satellites alongside a strong group of design and build engineers. The person in this position will help develop, qualify, and optimize welding designs and processes including but not limited to electron beam welding, laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding, and plasma arc welding. The welding engineer in this role will interface daily with design and manufacturing engineers to make welding judgment calls and improvements and will enforce standardized practices and procedures on multiple welded assemblies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, optimize, and qualify weld processes and parameters for multiple welding processes including but not limited to electron beam welding, laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding, friction stir welding, and plasma arc welding
• Support production operations on full scale welded assemblies, providing direction to manufacturing engineers and welders on correct techniques in a fast paced manufacturing environment
• Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis
• Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for manufacturing
• Set up welding qualification test campaigns and interpret mechanical testing and NDE results
• Work closely with NDE personnel to interpret weld quality on development and flight hardware in addition to developing and implementing innovative state-of-the-art NDE techniques
• Develop and implement improved process control where possible using test and NDE results as feedback loop
• Set up automated welding solutions in an effort to drive process consistency
• Scope out new welding technologies that may be employed to improve rate/quality/efficiency

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• Hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or testing experience of welded assemblies

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in welding engineering or related technical program
• Hands on welding experience of stainless steel, nickel-based, titanium, copper, and aluminum alloys
• Experience with brazing, joining, and metallographic interpretation
• Fundamental understanding of welding processes including, but not limited to, electron beam, laser beam, plasma arc, resistance, friction-stir, gas tungsten arc, and gas metal arc
• Robot programming experience for automated welding solutions
• Tooling design experience for welded assemblies to reduce part distortion and improve part consistency
• Understanding of weld strength testing methodologies, standards, and data acquisition systems used to make informed welding decisions (ASTM E8, E399, E740, ISO 15653, AWS D17.X, AWS C7.X, thermos-couples, strain gages, etc.)
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions including, but not limited to, optical and SEM fractography/metallography, hardness, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing
• Self-motivated engineer with keen attention to detail

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as needed to support and maintain build schedules
• Travel may be required to other SpaceX facilities in Texas and Washington state (up to 50%)
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand
• Strong ability to multi-task and communicate status and results with broad spectrum of internal and external departments 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year    
Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

MATERIALS ENGINEER, METALS (STARSHIP)

Our Starship Materials Engineering team is serving as experts in various material disciplines to the broader company and working on making the best rockets and spacecraft in the world. As a member of this team you will constantly improve the materials and processes used to make these structures and components. This role will primarily be supporting component level hardware including, but not limited to control devices and mechanisms that drive critical capabilities on Starship/Super Heavy - from regulators and butterfly valves to flap/fin actuators. We design, manufacture, and test valves, regulators, and actuators for maximum reliability in extreme environments, compatibility with various fluids, temperatures ranging from 80 to 800K, and pressures beyond 800 bar.

Special processing of metals including, but not limited to, plate/bar/sheet processing, casting, forging, coatings, and heat treating and expected to make an impact on the design, analysis, and manufacturing of components and mechanisms that spans across all our Starship vehicles. If your goal is to make an impact on the cutting edge of propulsion control devices, materials, and manufacturing technologies, this is the role for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and deploy materials and process direction for propulsion, mechanism, and valve system designs and manufacturing
• Increase reliability of internal design’s manufacturing processes through material and process selection, analysis, development, and test
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials
• Improve our special processes and materials through characterization and development
• Work directly with component design build and test engineering, design reliability, and production teams on a daily basis
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing
• Provide technical reviews and advising for design efforts specifically related to drawings, specifications, and material requirements
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in materials engineering or other engineering discipline with emphasis on materials
• 2+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role
• Experience and expertise with multiple of the following manufacturing methods: tribological coatings (conversion, inorganic, dry-film lubricants), sheet/plate metal processing, casting, forging, brazing, welding, and heat treating

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in materials engineering or related field 
• Tribological processes including, but not limited to evaluating and implementing protective coatings  (polyurethane, urethane, conversion coating, inorganic coatings, dry-film lubricants, etc.) for internal and external environmental conditions including  thermal, wear, atmospheric, and space environments
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals including wear, tensile, fracture and fatigue and
• Familiarity with development of design allowables
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and metallographic analysis
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys
• Knowledge of fluid and gas compatibility for various launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment
• Understanding of non-destructive test methods for fracture and fatigue control
• Maintain working knowledge of regulatory requirements, perform associated required tasks, and complete required documentation per SpaceX specifications and other external specification such as NASA, OSHA, ASTM, NACE, ASME, AWS, ASM, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
• Up to 10% domestic travel is expected

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year    
Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year    
    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

MATERIALS R&D TECHNICIAN - NIGHT SHIFT

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multi-planetary. This challenge isn’t for everyone – the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state – but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our vehicles and launch infrastructure are pushing the limits on performance and require us to push the limit on materials. Developing new materials, testing our advanced processes, and creating accurate material allowables are critical to advancing our mission. If you are a high performer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you. 

As a team member you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills will help us operate a world class mechanical and materials test lab to help enable us to iterate, diagnose, and drive our build and launch site into a powerhouse of production and materials innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver high-quality results by performing various standardized mechanical tests including tensile, compression, fatigue, and fracture toughness at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures to help support the building and development of SpaceX’s launch vehicles and spacecraft
• Use mechanical testing software, collect date, and generate data reports
• Work with engineering to execute non-standard testing to support launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware design and production
• Test article fabrication (including machining, welding bonding, polishing, fixturing)
• Prepare samples and execute testing procedures using equipment such as microscopes, sectioning and polishing equipment, SEM/EDS FTIR, and other miscellaneous tools for the characterization of materials and welds
• Operate machining equipment, mills, routers, lathes, and grinders (preferably CNC program capable)
• Ensure all test equipment/measurement tool calibration is scheduled and performed
• Analyze data and report results to engineering teams
• Maintain a clean and organized work station
• Run and maintain cure ovens and temperature loggers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following:
• Materials testing
• Machining
• Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting
• Manufacturing/Production

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with manufacturing mechanical test coupons with methods such as milling, electrical discharge machining (EDM), and waterjet
• Experience using material characterization equipment such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), or metallography tools
• Understanding of ASTM test methods tensile, fatigue, and fracture toughness testing fundamentals
• Experience in post test data processing and understanding good vs bad data in results
• Experience with welding and metal fabrication
• Experience with Non Destructive Testing/Inspection
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
• Knowledge/experience of strain gage installation
• Understanding of safe work practices in a lab environment with furnaces, saws, solvents, acids/bases and other chemicals
• Highly organized, collaborative, and able to pivot quickly in a dynamic / fast-paced /cross-functional environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work off-shifts and available for overtime and weekends if needed with minimal notice
• Able to wear appropriate PPE for mechanical testing and machine shop environment
• Able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to work the following shift: M-F, 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM

SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER, METALS (STARSHIP)

Our Starship Materials Engineering team is serving as experts in various material disciplines to the broader company and working on making the best rockets and spacecraft in the world. As a member of this team you will constantly improve the materials and processes used to make these structures and components. This role will primarily be supporting component level hardware including, but not limited to control devices and mechanisms that drive critical capabilities on Starship/Super Heavy - from regulators and butterfly valves to flap/fin actuators. We design, manufacture, and test valves, regulators, and actuators for maximum reliability in extreme environments, compatibility with various fluids, temperatures ranging from 80 to 800K, and pressures beyond 800 bar.

Special processing of metals including, but not limited to, plate/bar/sheet processing, casting, forging, coatings, and heat treating and expected to make an impact on the design, analysis, and manufacturing of components and mechanisms that spans across all our Starship vehicles. If your goal is to make an impact on the cutting edge of propulsion control devices, materials, and manufacturing technologies, this is the role for you.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and deploy materials and process direction for propulsion, mechanism, and valve system designs and manufacturing
• Increase reliability of internal design’s manufacturing processes through material and process selection, analysis, development, and test
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials
• Improve our special processes and materials through characterization and development
• Work directly with component design build and test engineering, design reliability, and production teams on a daily basis
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing
• Provide technical reviews and advising for design efforts specifically related to drawings, specifications, and material requirements
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in materials engineering or other engineering discipline with emphasis on materials
• 5+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role
• Experience and expertise with multiple of the following manufacturing methods: tribological coatings (conversion, inorganic, dry-film lubricants), sheet/plate metal processing, casting, forging, brazing, welding, and heat treating

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in materials engineering or related field 
• Tribological processes including, but not limited to evaluating and implementing protective coatings (polyurethane, urethane, conversion coating, inorganic coatings, dry-film lubricants, etc.) for internal and external environmental conditions including  thermal, wear, atmospheric, and space environments
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals including wear, tensile, fracture and fatigue and
• Familiarity with development of design allowables
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and metallographic analysis
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys
• Knowledge of fluid and gas compatibility for various launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment
• Understanding of non-destructive test methods for fracture and fatigue control
• Maintain working knowledge of regulatory requirements, perform associated required tasks, and complete required documentation per SpaceX specifications and other external specification such as NASA, OSHA, ASTM, NACE, ASME, AWS, ASM, etc.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones
• Up to 10% domestic travel is expected

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:    
Sr. Materials Engineer: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

AVIONICS TEST TECHNICIAN, STARBASE VIBE TEST LAB

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multiplanetary. This challenge isn’t for everyone – the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state – but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our test lab is constantly innovating and developing the next step in advanced materials testing. Tight tolerance and innovative machining builds enable critical testing on the mission to full reusability. If you are a high performer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you.

As a member of this team you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills will help us operate a world class mechanical and materials test lab to help enable us to iterate, diagnose and drive our build and launch site into a powerhouse of production and materials innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform acceptance (ATP) and qualification (QTP) testing of flight hardware and document results in a clear, precise and complete manner
• Program and operate environmental test chambers and/or vibration shakers
• Use basic and advanced electronic test equipment and test racks/DAQs to run performance tests on parts
• Use mechanical hand tools and torque wrenches to set up parts on test fixtures
• Record work performed on shop floor management system (ERP)
• Self-monitor work progress against fast-paced area benchmarks and achieve on time delivery of all work
• Assist design engineers with developing and documenting test procedures
• Work with design engineers to troubleshoot failures of parts and test equipment
• Assist with the development of production processes for first time production runs
• Assist with area efficiency and 5S improvement projects
• Responsible for preventative maintenance activities on test equipment and data acquisition systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, or military environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate or bachelor's degree in a technical or engineering field
• Prior experience with thermal, thermal vacuum, vibration and/or shock testing
• Experience in the aerospace industry, aviation, military or other high-volume operating environment preferred
• Capable of working with diverse electrical test equipment, including analog, digital and RF
• Proficiency with Windows OS
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong team-work skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to work the follow shift:
  • Monday – Friday (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
• Repetitive assembly operations, grasping, standing, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Must be able to lift to 25 lbs. unassisted

MATERIALS ENGINEER, PROPULSION MATERIALS

Our propulsion materials engineering team is serving as experts in various materials disciplines to the broader company and working on making the best rocket engines in the world. As a member of this team you will constantly improve the materials and processes used to make the engines. This role will primarily be supporting additive manufacturing of metals but will be expected to make an impact on the design, analysis, and manufacturing of an entire engine system that spans across all of our vehicles including Starship and Falcon. If your goal is to make an impact on the cutting edge of propulsion, materials, and manufacturing technologies, this is the role for you. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Provide materials and process support for propulsion system designs and manufacturing 
• Increase reliability of internal designs manufacturing processes through material and process development 
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials 
• Improve our additive processes and materials through characterization and development 
• Work directly with our additive engineering and manufacturing teams on a daily basis 
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing 
• Provide technical reviews and advising for design efforts specifically related to drawings, specifications, and material requirements 
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's degree in materials engineering or other engineering discipline with emphasis on materials 
• 2+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role 
• Experience with one or more of the following manufacturing methods: additive (laser powder bed fusion), casting, forging, brazing, heat treating 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Master's degree or PhD in materials engineering or related field  
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals including fracture and fatigue 
• Familiarity with standard testing methods for materials and development of design allowables 
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and metallographic analysis 
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys 
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment 
• Understanding of non-destructive test methods for fracture control 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Extended hours and weekend work may be required to support critical project and mission milestones 
• Up to 10% domestic travel is expected 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: 

Pay range:    
Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year    
Level II: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER, ELECTRONIC MATERIALS

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to 6M+ users worldwide. We design, build, test and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact. As we continue to upgrade and expand the constellation, we are looking for the best-in-class engineers to join the team.
 
We are seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer to join our Bastrop, TX team, where we are advancing materials technologies to support the deployment of Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in semiconductor device physics and device fabrication, along with hands-on industry experience in at least one of the following domains—solar cell development, panel-level packaging, or printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing—to drive material and process innovations across all three areas. This position requires a technical expert who delivers thoughtful leadership, collaborates with stakeholders to execute strategies aligned with Starlink's business objectives, budget, and priorities, while orchestrating end-to-end equipment and process development. You will push material and device performance limits to enable high-efficiency, reliable systems for space and terrestrial applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the development and optimization of CVD recipes and device fabrication processes to boost solar cell efficiency.
• Own the full lifecycle of equipment specification, validation and process development— including device modeling, characterization of performance metrics, and materials failure analysis.
• Build supply chains for wafers, gases, chemicals, and equipment for solar cell manufacturing. Define incoming acceptance criteria for materials (e.g. silicon wafers, conductive pastes).
• Address material and process challenges in panel-level packaging while spearheading the development of next generation dielectric materials to improve packaging performance and scalability.
• Specify and implement in-process metrology tools for quality control. Design wafer-level test structures to evaluate material/electronic properties. Integrate simulation tools with experimental data to guide and drive targeted improvements via material or process changes.
• Drive end-to-end material and process R&D programs, from concept through product implementation, to drive cost down, efficiency improvements and reliability in electronic systems.
• Collaborate closely with leadership and stakeholders across all departments—including design, reliability, production, and supply chain—to integrate materials innovations into product roadmaps and ensure accountability for operations and reliability.
• Manage compliance risks related to materials and processes, ensuring safety and environmental compliance with industry standards.
• Mentor and develop engineers, providing technical guidance and project oversight.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or an engineering degree.
• 5+ years of experience in microelectronics device research or manufacturing.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong background in semiconductor device physics with extensive hands-on CVD, PVD and related device fabrication experience; preferred background in photovoltaics.
• Expertise in electrical device testing methods (IV, CV, Hall effect, TLM) and optical device characterization (ellipsometry, UV-VIS-IR spectroscopy, PL, EL, QSSPC).
• Proficiency in microscopy and analytical techniques (SEM/EDS, Raman, XRD, AFM, XPS, SIMS, FTIR, DMA, DSC).
• Proven cross-functional leadership skills, with experience aligning diverse teams to achieve shared technology goals.
• Strong communication skills for presenting to stakeholders as well as guiding and mentoring junior engineers.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% time.
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Comfort occasionally working in tight or confined spaces.

THERMAL PROTECTION ENGINEER 

This position within the thermal protection system R&D team will develop and optimize low density alumina-silica refractory insulators. You will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to develop novel solutions in spacecraft reusability. You will work on designing, testing and analyzing materials for the next generation Starship spacecraft, designed to make humanity an interplanetary species. Role will require significant interface with the design & production engineers, providing the opportunity to continuously improve the production design processing as the team works to establish aircraft-like operations on Starship.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute experiments, procedures and tests on developmental components.
• Design and develop thermal protection hardware to enable and optimize vehicle’s heatshield on material properties and cost reduction.
• Operate and use ceramic and chemical lab tools and equipment.
• Work with process engineers to develop scalable production solution.
• Collaborate with engineering staff from other departments and highly skilled technicians on a daily basis.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on common project goals.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in high-temperature ceramic or technical glass (academic projects, internships, and traditional professional experience all qualify).

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• Experience with development of material systems from ideation to final product.
• Experience working directly with system, design, and analysis engineers.
• Familiarity with hypersonic, spaceflight, or re-entry operating environments, including material degradation mechanisms and failure modes.
• Familiarity with TPS state-of-the-art and system level design.
• Hands-on experience with TPS material, technologies and manufacturing.
• Experience working on spacecraft or launch vehicles.
• Experience in writing test plans and test procedures.
• Experience interacting with CAD software and large CAD models.
• Experience with data acquisition setup and field measurements.
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills, with acute attention to detail.
• Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people.
• Overall mental fitness with the ability to work in a high-concentration, high-stress environment requiring prolonged mental concentration (under possible extended work hours).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Space Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Willingness to work outdoors.
• 50 hour work weeks are typical, schedule varies depending on site operational needs, flexibility required.

SR. WELDING ENGINEER

This position will support manufacturing and development of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Starship launch vehicles, Dragon spacecraft, and Starlink satellites alongside a strong group of design and build engineers. The person in this position will help develop, qualify, and optimize welding designs and processes including but not limited to; electron beam welding, laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding, and plasma arc welding. The welding engineer in this role will interface daily with design and manufacturing engineers to make welding judgment calls and improvements and will enforce standardized practices and procedures on multiple welded assemblies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, optimize, and qualify weld processes and parameters for multiple welding processes including but not limited to: electron beam welding, laser beam welding, gas tungsten arc welding, orbital tube welding, resistance welding, gas metal arc welding, friction stir welding, and plasma arc welding
• Support production operations on full scale welded assemblies, providing direction to manufacturing engineers and welders on correct techniques in a fast paced manufacturing environment
• Support design, manufacturing, and materials engineering with root cause analysis
• Work closely with design, tooling, automation, and development engineers to improve welded designs for manufacturing
• Set up welding qualification test campaigns and interpret mechanical testing and NDE results
• Work closely with NDE personnel to interpret weld quality on development and flight hardware in addition to developing and implementing innovative state-of-the-art NDE techniques
• Develop and implement improved process control where possible using test and NDE results as feedback loop
• Set up automated welding solutions in an effort to drive process consistency
• Scope out new welding technologies that may be employed to improve rate/quality/efficiency
• Support on-site manufacturing and development of Starlink, F9, Dragon, Starship, and related propulsion engines 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience with hands-on fabrication, manufacturing, or testing experience of welded assemblies

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in welding engineering or related technical program
• Hands on welding experience of stainless steel, nickel-based, titanium, copper, and aluminum alloys
• Experience with brazing, joining, and metallographic interpretation
• Fundamental understanding of welding processes including, but not limited to, electron beam, laser beam, plasma arc, resistance, friction-stir, gas tungsten arc, and gas metal arc
• Robot programming experience for automated welding solutions
• Tooling design experience for welded assemblies to reduce part distortion and improve part consistency
• Understanding of weld strength testing methodologies, standards, and data acquisition systems used to make informed welding decisions (ASTM E8, E399, E740, ISO 15653, AWS D17.X, AWS C7.X, thermos-couples, strain gages, etc.)
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective actions including, but not limited to, optical and SEM fractography/metallography, hardness, chemical analysis, and mechanical testing
• Self-motivated engineer with keen attention to detail
• Strong ability to multi-task and communicate status and results with broad spectrum of internal and external departments  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work long hours and weekends as needed to support and maintain build schedules
• Travel may be required to other SpaceX facilities in Texas and Washington state (up to 50%)
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings and climbing hand over hand

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    

Pay range:    
Sr. Welding Engineer: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year    

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMERS

SpaceX plans to revolutionize the launch market through the use of cutting-edge technologies which drive down cost and increase accessibility. Rapid and efficient reusability of a launch vehicle that experiences the most extreme of environments requires novel material systems to solve these difficult challenges. The Materials Engineer in this role will be hands-on tackling implementation and troubleshooting of polymer material systems on the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own implementation and scale-up of novel polymer material systems used on Starship hardware
• Provide guidance to engineering and production teams on materials selection, testing and analysis of adhesives, sealants, coatings, and other non-metallic materials
• Generate and maintain design for manufacturing requirements for these materials and their application processes used to build Starship
• Coordinate and execute qualification testing of polymer material systems
• Support root cause failure investigations as a subject matter expert for adhesive/rubber/plastic failure mechanisms
• Partner with engineering and production teams to generate ideas for material and process improvements on current and next-generation vehicles 
• Develop and maintain application process specifications for these materials

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, or other engineering discipline
• Experience with characterizing, testing, and evaluating the performance of plastics, elastomers and adhesives

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science, materials engineering, polymer science, chemistry, physics, or other related engineering fields
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation in cutting-edge technology
• Experience in polymer characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, DMA, TMA, rheometry, optical microscopy, mechanical property testing
• Familiarity with industry specifications for adhesives, sealants, coatings, structural plastics, and other non-metallic materials
• Demonstrated track record of success in a fast-paced and highly competitive environment
• Strong ability to work autonomously, communicate well and have extreme ownership for areas of responsibility
• Diverse knowledge of aerospace quality polymeric / elastomeric materials and their processing
• Broad understanding of failure modes in polymer materials
• Experience with technical review of polymer processing and understanding interaction between process variables and resultant material performance

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for significant/extended periods of time (up to 25%)
• Ability to lift up to 30 Ibs unassisted
• Standing/walking for long periods of time
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends as necessary to accommodate manufacturing and test campaigns