Mechanical Engineer, Heatshield (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Mechanical Engineer specializing in heatshield systems for the Starship program to develop cutting-edge thermal protection solutions. The role involves hands-on design, analysis, and collaboration with various engineering departments to enhance vehicle performance during reentry.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant engineering degree and has experience with thermal systems. Join SpaceX in pushing the boundaries of human life on Mars.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of engineering experience in mechanical or thermal systems.
• Experience with thermal protection systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and qualify new thermal protection system solutions.
• Coordinate with engineers to drive multidisciplinary projects.
• Analyze post-flight vehicle conditions for improvements.

Skills

Thermal protection systems

Mechanical design

Aerothermal heating

CAD software (Siemens NX)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in material science, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or aerospace engineering

Job description

Mechanical Engineer, Heatshield (Starship)

SpaceX is actively developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The Starship program requires a robust Thermal Protection System (TPS) to withstand the extreme heat generated during atmospheric reentry at hypersonic speeds. The thermal hardware team is responsible for the design, analysis, integration, and continuous improvement of Starship's reentry heat shield and structures. As a thermal hardware engineer, you will drive the development of the next‑generation heatshield from concept and detailed mechanical design to thermal‑structural modeling, qualification testing, production, integration, flight rationale, and post‑flight data‑driven optimizations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and qualify new or refined thermal protection system solutions for the Starship architecture.
• Own the outcome and set up end‑to‑end solutions to thermal challenges from idea to flying hardware.
• Work with production on resolving issues on the floor and on the vehicle with flight hardware.
• Analyze and troubleshoot post‑flight conditions on vehicle heatshields to drive vehicle changes and improvements.
• Coordinate with analysis, avionics, structures, supply chain, and reliability engineers to drive multidisciplinary projects.
• Collaborate with outside vendors, suppliers, and testing resources to bring in new materials, capabilities, or processes.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in material science, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or aerospace engineering.
• 1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, or building mechanical or thermal systems. Internship and school project experience also qualify.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of experience working on thermal protection systems.
• Strong fundamentals in aerothermal heating on reentry vehicles.
• Strong fundamentals in the materials and mechanisms by which thermal protection systems operate.
• Hands‑on experience with hardware that has performed in challenging thermal environments such as rockets, reentry vehicles, or other extreme‑temperature applications.
• Ability to drive open‑ended design and development challenges.
• Familiarity and experience with production, installation, qualification, and use of thermal protection system materials.
• Experience using Siemens NX or similar CAD software.
• Ability to perform basic thermal or mechanical analysis.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Ability to travel domestically.
• Ability to pass an Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or asylee 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 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 may request a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or request reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process, by contacting [e-mail].