Metals Engineer for Starlink Satellites

InvestedintheMission; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, vision and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX's Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) will lead materials selection, characterization, qualification, and manufacturing support for metallic hardware on Starlink satellites and ground assemblies, collaborating with design teams and suppliers.

The role requires hands-on experience with welding, brazing, soldering, and metal joining, plus failure analysis and process optimization in a high-volume aerospace manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or another materials-focused engineering degree.
• Experience with aluminum alloys used for structural and non-structural applications; metal alloys used in electronic applications; and metal-joining processes (welding, brazing, soldering, sintering).
• Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or other related engineering discipline (preferred).
• Experience with characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, optical microscopy, hardness testers, mechanical property testing, and spectroscopy techniques for composition or phase.

Responsibilities

• Provide materials selection, characterization, qualification, and manufacturing process support for metallic and metal-joined (welded, brazed, soldered) hardware on Starlink satellites and ground infrastructure assemblies.
• Develop mechanical and physical properties of metallic alloys and joints for the design community, including data, allowable, and process recommendations.
• Perform root cause investigations and failure analysis using fractography, metallography, SEM-EDS, optical microscopy, and other characterization testing.
• Develop, qualify, troubleshoot, and optimize metal joining processes (welding, brazing, soldering, sintering) used in production, including understanding of process variables and resulting material performance.
• Provide technical review and advising for design efforts as it relates to material alloy selection, material & process specifications, fracture requirements, and design-for-manufacturability.
• Collaborate with suppliers on qualification, property development, and issue resolution for custom-manufactured forgings, castings, and other metallic components.

Skills

Materials science

Metallurgy knowledge

Failure analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering or related

Master's or PhD in Materials Science/Engineering

Tools

SEM-EDS

Optical microscopy

Hardness testers

Spectroscopy

Job description

SpaceX's Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) will lead materials selection, characterization, qualification, and manufacturing support for metallic hardware on Starlink satellites and ground assemblies, collaborating with design teams and suppliers.

The role requires hands-on experience with welding, brazing, soldering, and metal joining, plus failure analysis and process optimization in a high-volume aerospace manufacturing environment.