SpaceX

Materials Engineer, Thermal Protection (Starship)

SpaceX • $80K — $95K *
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, or related engineering field.
  • 1+ years of experience in high-temperature ceramics or technical glass through academic projects, internships, or professional roles.
  • Master's degree in an engineering discipline (preferred).
  • Familiarity with hypersonic and re-entry operating environments and material degradation.
  • Hands-on experience with thermal protection systems (TPS) material and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute experiments on refractory insulators.
  • Design thermal protection hardware to optimize vehicle heatshield properties.
  • Operate ceramic and chemical lab tools and equipment effectively.
  • Collaborate with process engineers to create scalable production solutions.
  • Manage multiple priorities while aligning with project goals.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to contribute to innovative projects in aerospace.
  • Collaborative environment with engineers from various disciplines.
  • Chance to work on groundbreaking technology for interplanetary exploration.
  • Flexible work schedule adapting to operational needs.
  • Potential for career advancement within a cutting-edge company.
Full Job Description
MATERIALS ENGINEER, THERMAL PROTECTION (STARSHIP)

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.


ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. a7 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

About SpaceX

SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. SpaceX has developed the Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The company was founded with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. SpaceX has achieved several milestones in spaceflight, including the first privately-funded liquid-propellant rocket to reach orbit, the first privately-funded company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station, and the first privately-funded company to send a human-rated spacecraft to orbit.
Learn more about SpaceX
Size
8,000 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Founded
2002
* Ladders Estimates

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