Aerospace Materials Engineer, Metals — Satellite Hardware

Spacex; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Redmond, WA seeks a Materials Engineer, Metals for Starlink. You will develop, qualify, and troubleshoot metallic materials and joining processes for satellites and ground hardware, supporting high-volume production and quality objectives.

Responsibilities cover materials selection, property development, failure analysis, and collaboration with suppliers and design teams to ensure manufacturability and performance in space environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in materials-focused engineering required.
• Experience with aluminum alloys used for structural/non-structural applications; metal alloys used in electronics; and metal-joining processes.

Responsibilities

• Material selection, characterization, qualification, and manufacturing support for metallic hardware on Starlink satellites and ground assemblies.
• Develop mechanical and physical properties of metallic alloys and joints for design teams.
• Perform root cause investigations and failure analysis using fractography, metallography, SEM-EDS, optical microscopy, and other testing.
• Develop, qualify, troubleshoot, and optimize metal joining processes (welding, brazing, soldering, sintering).
• Provide technical review and advising for material alloy selection, specifications, fracture requirements, and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with suppliers on qualification, property development, and issue resolution for forgings, castings, and other metallic components.

Skills

Materials science

Welding engineering

Metallurgical knowledge

Failure analysis

Characterization

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

SEM-EDS

Optical microscopy

Hardness testing

Mechanical-property testing

Spectroscopy

Job description

United States Digital Space LLC in Redmond, WA seeks a Materials Engineer, Metals for Starlink. You will develop, qualify, and troubleshoot metallic materials and joining processes for satellites and ground hardware, supporting high-volume production and quality objectives.

Responsibilities cover materials selection, property development, failure analysis, and collaboration with suppliers and design teams to ensure manufacturability and performance in space environments.