Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Crystal Growth

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

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician, Silicon Crystal Growth, to partner with engineering on silicon ingot and wafer R&D lines. You will develop and refine recipes for high‑quality ingots and wafers for Starlink and Starship programs.

You will be responsible for equipment commissioning, process development, and characterization, ensuring safe handling of chemicals and adherence to cleanroom standards. This role supports production transfer and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency; 3+ years in silicon crystal growth or related manufacturing.
• Experience handling hazardous chemicals safely.
• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in STEM preferred for advanced roles.

Responsibilities

• Partner with engineering to bring online 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 and defect mitigation.
• Characterize ingot and wafer quality, and maintain lab equipment.
• Adhere to 5S standards and cleanroom protocols; ensure safe work environment.

Skills

Silicon crystal growth

DOE experiments

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in STEM

Tools

ICP-MS

GDMS

XRT

SEM/TEM

FTIR

Resistivity mapping

Minority carrier lifetime testing (PL)

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, 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‑art 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 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.

ITAR Requirements

• 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 affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].