Materials R&D Technician – Cryogenic & Lab Testing

SpaceX; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Wisconsin. You will develop new materials, test advanced processes, and create accurate material allowables to advance our mission and launch vehicle programs.

You will perform standardized mechanical tests across cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures, operate test equipment, and collaborate with engineers to iterate and improve materials for our launch systems.

Qualifications

• Materials testing experience required.
• Machining experience required.
• Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites.
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform standardized mechanical tests (tensile, compression, fatigue, fracture toughness) across cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures.
• Use mechanical testing software, collect data, and generate reports.
• Collaborate with engineering to execute non-standard testing for hardware design and production.
• Fabricate test articles (machining, welding, bonding, fixturing).
• Characterize materials and welds via sample prep and testing with microscopes, SEM/EDS, FTIR.
• Operate milling, routing, lathes, and grinders; CNC programming preferred.
• Ensure calibration of test equipment is scheduled and performed.
• Analyze data and report results to engineering teams.
• Maintain a clean, organized workstation.
• Run cure ovens and temperature loggers.

Skills

Materials testing

Machining

Layup/bonding of composites

Lab testing experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Metallography

EDM

Waterjet

CNC machining

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Wisconsin. You will develop new materials, test advanced processes, and create accurate material allowables to advance our mission and launch vehicle programs.

You will perform standardized mechanical tests across cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures, operate test equipment, and collaborate with engineers to iterate and improve materials for our launch systems.