Materials Engineer, Metals (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Materials Engineer for the Starship program in Town of Texas, Wisconsin. This role involves owning critical materials outcomes and collaborating with a dynamic team to solve engineering challenges in advancing space technologies.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in materials science or engineering and 2+ years of experience with metals. This position may require extended hours and occasional travel. Join us to help make humanity multiplanetary.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional, research, or internship experience in materials engineering.
• Experience working in a manufacturing environment with materials.

Responsibilities

• Own outcomes of critical materials for the program.
• Oversee material development from inception to flight.
• Collaborate to solve complex material challenges.

Skills

Experience with metallics in materials engineering

Problem-solving skills

Mechanical testing methods for metals

Knowledge of aerospace metals

Education

Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering

Tools

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Metallographic analysis

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

MATERIALS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multiplanetary. The challenge is demanding and conditions can be tough on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state – but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Developing new materials, new processes and quickly solving problems is critical to advancing our mission. If you are a high‑performing engineer, want to immerse yourself in never‑before‑solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you.

As a member of this team you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high‑performance flight hardware, a high‑volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills, advanced knowledge and hands‑on expertise in high‑performance metals and materials will help us push this envelope.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own outcomes of critical materials for our program.
• Oversee the entire scope of a material from inception to flight.
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials.
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing.
• Develop and implement reliability improvements in designs and manufacturing.
• Work directly with engineers developing the flight hardware to ensure proper utilization of materials.
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next‑generation vehicles.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering.
• 2+ years of professional, research, and/or internship experience working on metallics in a materials engineering role.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree or PhD in materials science or engineering.
• 2+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role.
• Demonstrated experience where quick thinking and tangible problem‑solving skills play a critical role.
• Demonstrated experience fostering an environment of extremely high personal accountability and responsibility.
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals.
• Familiarity with standard testing methods for materials and development of design allowables.
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and metallographic analysis.
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel‑based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys.
• Hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Infrequent travel to other SpaceX sites such as California or Florida.
• 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. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.