Materials Engineer for On-Orbit AI Satellites

United States Digital Space LLC; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Materials Engineer for the Starmind program to own the life-cycle of hardware enabling onboard AI processing and data center workloads. You will work at the intersection of process, packaging, mechanical, and thermal engineering on satellite compute electronics.

You will lead materials specification, validation, and development across suppliers and internal teams, driving advances in TIM materials and advanced packaging for space environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science or mechanical engineering; microelectronics device research or manufacturing experience.
• Experience in microelectronics device research or manufacturing.
• Willingness to work extended hours and travel as needed for mission deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-reliability microelectronics packages, cooling systems, and radiator hardware for satellites.
• Own materials specification, validation, and process development; model devices, characterize performance, analyze failures.
• Drive system trades, capture requirements, select materials, prototype, manufacture, and perform failure analysis.
• Build supply chains for materials, define acceptance criteria for incoming materials.
• Address materials/process challenges in advanced packaging and develop TIM materials for better packaging.
• Specify in-process metrology tools and design thermal test setups; integrate simulations with data.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, software, test, supply chain, and silicon design teams.

Skills

Materials science

Mechanical engineering

Microelectronics

Device research

Manufacturing

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Automation

Robotics

PFMEA

SPC

MES

Traceability

Cleanroom

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science / mechanical engineering

Master’s degree in materials science

Job description

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking a Materials Engineer for the Starmind program to own the life-cycle of hardware enabling onboard AI processing and data center workloads. You will work at the intersection of process, packaging, mechanical, and thermal engineering on satellite compute electronics.

You will lead materials specification, validation, and development across suppliers and internal teams, driving advances in TIM materials and advanced packaging for space environments.