Materials Engineer, Additive Manufacturing (LPBF)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Materials Engineer specialized in Additive Manufacturing to lead LPBF development for nickel-based superalloys for next‑gen rocket engines. You will own process development, parameter optimization, and material characterization while collaborating daily with design and manufacturing teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on LPBF expertise, post‑processing, and metallurgical testing to push capabilities in propulsion materials for SpaceX engines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials engineering or related field with emphasis on materials.
• 1+ years of experience developing or qualifying LPBF processes for nickel-based superalloys (e.g., Inconel 718, 625)
• Master's or PhD preferred with 3+ years of LPBF experience in nickel-based superalloys
• Hands-on LPBF parameter development, build optimization, post-processing experience (HIP, heat treatment)
• Experience with metallurgical characterization and mechanical testing of additively manufactured nickel alloys
• Experience with LPBF processes, DED, casting, forging, and heat treating
• Knowledge of fracture mechanics, fatigue, and creep testing of additively manufactured superalloys
• Hands-on experience with non-destructive testing for fracture control
• Knowledge of aerospace nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum, titanium alloys
• Experience with design allowables or material specifications for LPBF nickel alloys

Responsibilities

• Provide materials and process support for propulsion designs and manufacturing.
• Increase reliability through material and process development.
• Characterize materials physical, mechanical, and thermal properties.
• Improve additive processes with LPBF nickel-based superalloys.
• Collaborate with additive engineering and manufacturing teams daily.
• Conduct root cause investigations using fractography and metallography.
• Provide technical reviews for drawings, specs, and material requirements.
• Collaborate with engineers to solve materials and processing challenges on current and future vehicles

Skills

LPBF

Nickel-based alloys

Metallurgical characterization

Mechanical testing

Fractography

Process development

Post-processing

Design allowables

NDT

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials engineering

Master's or PhD preferred

Tools

SEM

Metallography

HIP & heat treatment equipment

Job description

SpaceX Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Materials Engineer specialized in Additive Manufacturing to lead LPBF development for nickel-based superalloys for next‑gen rocket engines. You will own process development, parameter optimization, and material characterization while collaborating daily with design and manufacturing teams.

The role emphasizes hands-on LPBF expertise, post‑processing, and metallurgical testing to push capabilities in propulsion materials for SpaceX engines.