Materials R&D Technician: Cryogenic Test Lab

SpaceX; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to support the materials and test lab at Starbase. You will perform diverse tests on materials, assist with design verification, and help drive materials innovation for high-performance flight hardware and production lines.

Responsibilities include fabricating test articles, operating measurement equipment, analyzing data, and maintaining a clean work station while supporting a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ year of materials testing experience.
• Machining experience.
• Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites.
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality results by performing standardized mechanical tests including tensile, compression, fatigue, and fracture toughness at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures.
• Use mechanical testing software, data collection, and data report generation.
• Collaborate with engineering to execute non-standard testing for design and production.
• Test article fabrication including machining, welding, bonding, and fixturing.
• Characterize materials and welds via sample prep and testing using microscopes and SEM/EDS/FTIR.

Skills

Materials testing

Machining

Composites layup/bonding

Laboratory experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)

Metallography tools

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to support the materials and test lab at Starbase. You will perform diverse tests on materials, assist with design verification, and help drive materials innovation for high-performance flight hardware and production lines.

Responsibilities include fabricating test articles, operating measurement equipment, analyzing data, and maintaining a clean work station while supporting a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment.