Materials R&D Technician - Level 4/5

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company in Texas is seeking a Materials R&D Technician for silicon wafer engineering. You will partner with engineering to establish state-of-the-art wafer fabrication processes for solar cell production used in Starlink satellites. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing and a high school diploma. Responsibilities include equipment operation, process optimization, and ensuring safety standards, while maintaining close collaboration with engineering teams.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in semiconductor wafer manufacturing.
• 1+ year of experience with hazardous chemicals.
• Experience with wafer characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering for wafer fab development.
• Drive equipment commissioning and maintenance.
• Conduct tests and evaluate supplier materials.

Skills

Hands-on experience in semiconductor wafer manufacturing

Cleanroom operations

Attention to detail

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent certification

Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a STEM field

Tools

ICP-MS

GDMS

XRT

SEM/TEM

FTIR

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 R&D Technician – Level 4/5

As a Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Wafer Engineering on Starlink, you will partner directly with engineering to rapidly bring online state‑of‑the‑art silicon wafer fab R&D lines to develop and refine recipes for producing high‑quality wafers. These wafers will feed internal solar cell fabrication for our next generation Starlink satellites and Starship missions to the Moon and Mars. You will be responsible for silicon wafer fabrication equipment commissioning, process development, monitoring and troubleshooting equipment, characterizing wafer quality, and transferring a stable process to the production teams.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering to rapidly bring online state‑of‐the‑art silicon wafer fab development lines that include wafer slicing, grinding, cleaning, degumming, and inspection stations.
• Drive equipment commissioning, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Perform hands‑on wafer processing tasks (ingot cropping, slicing, cleaning, degumming, surface conditioning) to produce low‑defect, high‑reliability wafers.
• Execute DOEs to optimize silicon recycling procedures and minimize contamination of raw materials.
• Test and evaluate supplier materials (slurries, wires, adhesives, wet process chemicals) through contamination analysis and performance checks.
• Perform silicon wafer characterization; ensure associated lab equipment is maintained and calibrated.
• Safely handle chemicals and adhere to all EHS protocols to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure 5S standards and cleanroom protocols are upheld by maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Participate in training exercises for production silicon wafer fabrication technicians, as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent certification.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience in semiconductor wafer manufacturing, cleanroom operations, or high‑tech production (photovoltaics or silicon processing).
• 1+ year of experience handling flammable, toxic, corrosive, and/or hazardous chemicals safely.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a STEM field.
• 7+ years of hands‑on experience in silicon wafer manufacturing, with focus on slicing, cleaning, defect mechanisms, contamination control (metallic, organic, particulate), and surface chemistry.
• Experience using and maintaining silicon wafer characterization techniques and equipment, including ICP‑MS, GDMS, XRT, SEM/TEM, FTIR, resistivity mapping, and minority carrier lifetime testing (PL).
• Proven ability to understand and accurately follow complex manufacturing procedures and adhere to safety requirements; strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to work closely with engineering, other technicians, and cross‑functional teams.
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for work scope.
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working independently in a high‑paced, challenging work environment with minimal oversight.

Additional Requirements

• Must be open to work all shifts, overtime and/or weekends as needed.
• Must be comfortable working in a production environment using hazardous chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and solvents.
• Must be able to wear appropriate PPE for lab and electro‑chemical manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs. unassisted.
• Must be comfortable with climbing up and down ladders, grasping, standing, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, carrying, crawling, and maneuvering in tight spaces.
• 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) asylum seeker under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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.