Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Crystal Growth

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Crystal Growth to collaborate with engineering in bringing online advanced silicon ingot and wafer fab lines for Starlink solar cell materials. You will develop recipes, calibrate equipment, and troubleshoot processes to deliver high‑quality ingots and wafers for aerospace applications.

The role emphasizes safety, 5S/cleanroom discipline, and cross‑functional teamwork.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands‑on silicon growth or similar manufacturing.
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals safely.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong adherence to safety and 5S/cleanroom protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance for silicon ingot/wafer lines.
• Prepare raw materials, seeds, and hot zone components for growth.
• Run DOEs and process trials to optimize seeding, thermal management, and defects.
• Characterize ingot/wafer quality and maintain lab equipment.
• Ensure safety, EHS compliance, and cleanroom standards.
• Train production silicon growth technicians as needed.

Skills

Silicon growth

Safety procedures

Team collaboration

DOE experiments

Education

STEM degree

Tools

ICP-MS

GDMS

XRT

SEM/TEM

FTIR

Resistivity mapping

PL lifetime testing

Job description

Bastrop, TX

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, SILICON CRYSTAL GROWTH

As a Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Crystal Growth on Starlink, you will partner directly with engineering to rapidly bring online state-of-the-arc silicon ingot and wafer fab R&D lines to develop and refine recipes for producing high-quality ingots and 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 ingot pulling equipment commissioning, recipe and process development, monitoring and troubleshooting equipment, characterizing ingot and wafer quality, and transferring a stable process to the production teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Partner with engineering to rapidly bring online state-of-the art silicon ingot and wafer fab development lines.
• Drive equipment setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Prepare raw materials, seeds, and hot zone components for crystal growth.
• Execute DOEs and process trials to inform seeding techniques, recipe optimization, thermal management, impurity control, and defect mitigation.
• Perform silicon ingot and 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 growth technicians, as needed.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certification.
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience in silicon crystal growth, semiconductor, or similar manufacturing.
• Experience handling flammable, toxic, corrosive, and/or hazardous chemicals safely.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree in a STEM field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on work experience in silicon crystal growth manufacturing.
• Experience using and maintaining silicon ingot/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.
• Ability to identify and maintain priorities for work scope.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a highly cross‑functional team.

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 walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Must be ableto 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) 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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s ... [e-mail] .

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For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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