Materials Engineer for Satellite AI Compute

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind) in Bastrop, TX, to own the lifecycle of onboard materials for high-reliability compute hardware. You will drive packaging, thermal management, and materials validation for satellite systems used in onboard AI inference.

You will collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software engineers to deliver robust, high-performance hardware suited for space environments and mission-critical timelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Experience in microelectronics device research or manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high-reliability microelectronics packages, cooling systems, and radiator hardware for satellites.
• Own the full lifecycle of materials specification, validation, and process development.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, materials selection, prototyping, and failure analysis.
• Build supply chains for build-up layers, plating chemicals, coatings, TIMs and related materials.
• Address materials and process challenges in advanced packaging and TIM development.
• Specify and implement in-process metrology tools for quality control and testing.
• Collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, software, test, and supply chain teams.
• Manage compliance risks and ensure safety/environmental standards.
• Integrate materials innovations into product roadmaps with leadership.

Skills

Microelectronics experience

Materials science

Mechanical engineering

Scripting/data analysis tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science or mechanical engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind) in Bastrop, TX, to own the lifecycle of onboard materials for high-reliability compute hardware. You will drive packaging, thermal management, and materials validation for satellite systems used in onboard AI inference.

You will collaborate with mechanical, thermal, electrical, and software engineers to deliver robust, high-performance hardware suited for space environments and mission-critical timelines.