Materials R&D Technician (Starship)

SpaceX; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Texas. You will perform standardized mechanical tests, fabricate test articles, and collaborate with engineering to validate materials and processes for high-performance launch hardware.

You will operate testing equipment, analyze data, and contribute to a fast-paced, cross-functional lab focused on materials innovation and reliability in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ years in materials testing and machining.
• Experience with composites layup, bonding or assembly.
• Hands-on lab experience in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical tests (tensile, compression, fatigue, fracture) across cryogenic to elevated temps.
• Operate and report data from mechanical testing software.
• Collaborate with engineering on non‑standard test work for design validation.
• Fabricate test articles (machining, welding, bonding, fixturing).
• Characterize materials and welds; prepare samples; use microscopes and SEM/EDS/FTIR.
• Operate mills, routers, lathes, grinders; CNC program capability preferred.
• Ensure calibration of test equipment; document results for engineering.
• Analyze data and communicate findings; maintain clean workspace.
• Run cure ovens and temperature loggers; manage lab safety.

Skills

Materials testing

Machining

Composites layup/bonding/assembly

Laboratory work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Metallography tools

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

MATERIALS R&D TECHNICIAN (STARSHIP)

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multi-planetary. This challenge isn't for everyone - the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state - but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our vehicles and launch infrastructure are pushing the limits on performance and require us to push the limit on materials. Developing new materials, testing our advanced processes, and creating accurate material allowables are critical to advancing our mission. If you are a high performer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you.

As a team member you can expect a dynamic role doing what you're best at. Our team is building high performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills will help us operate a world class mechanical and materials test lab to help enable us to iterate, diagnose, and drive our build and launch site into a powerhouse of production and materials innovation.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Deliver high-quality results by performing various standardized mechanical tests including tensile, compression, fatigue, and fracture toughness at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures to help support the building and development of SpaceX's launch vehicles and spacecraft
• Use of mechanical testing software, data collection, and data report generation
• Work with engineering to execute non-standard testing to support launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware design and production
• Test Article fabrication (including machining, welding bonding, polishing, fixturing)
• Characterization of materials and welds though sample preparation and executing testing procedures using equipment such as microscopes, sectioning and polishing equipment, SEM/EDS FTIR, and other miscellaneous tools
• Operate machining equipment, mills, routers, lathes, and grinders (preferably CNC program capable)
• Ensure all test equipment/measurement tool calibration is scheduled and performed
• Analysis of data and reporting results to engineering teams
• Maintain a clean and organized work station
• Run and maintain cure ovens and temperature loggers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED
• 1+ years of the following:
  • Materials Testing experience
  • Machining experience
  • Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites
  • Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with manufacturing mechanical test coupons with methods such as milling, electrical discharge machining (EDM), and waterjet
• Experience using material characterization equipment such as a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), or metallography tools
• Understanding of ASTM test methods tensile, fatigue, and fracture toughness testing fundamentals
• Experience in post test data processing and understanding good vs bad data in results
• Experience with welding and metal fabrication
• Experience with Non Destructive Testing/Inspection
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings
• Knowledge/experience of strain gage installation
• Understanding of safe work practices in a lab environment with furnaces, saws, solvents, acids/bases and other chemicals
• Highly organized, collaborative, and able to pivot quickly in a dynamic / fast-paced /cross-functional environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work off-shifts and available for overtime and weekends if needed with minimal notice
• Able to wear appropriate PPE for mechanical testing and machine shop environment
• Able to lift a minimum of 30 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position

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 [e-mail].