Materials R&D Technician (Starship)

SpaceX; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Wisconsin. You will develop new materials, test advanced processes, and create accurate material allowables to advance our mission and launch vehicle programs.

You will perform standardized mechanical tests across cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures, operate test equipment, and collaborate with engineers to iterate and improve materials for our launch systems.

Qualifications

• Materials testing experience required.
• Machining experience required.
• Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites.
• Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform standardized mechanical tests (tensile, compression, fatigue, fracture toughness) across cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures.
• Use mechanical testing software, collect data, and generate reports.
• Collaborate with engineering to execute non-standard testing for hardware design and production.
• Fabricate test articles (machining, welding, bonding, fixturing).
• Characterize materials and welds via sample prep and testing with microscopes, SEM/EDS, FTIR.
• Operate milling, routing, lathes, and grinders; CNC programming preferred.
• Ensure calibration of test equipment is scheduled and performed.
• Analyze data and report results to engineering teams.
• Maintain a clean, organized workstation.
• Run cure ovens and temperature loggers.

Skills

Materials testing

Machining

Layup/bonding of composites

Lab testing experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Metallography

EDM

Waterjet

CNC machining

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 (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 resultsExperience 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 Affi or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].