Metals Materials Engineer for Space Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) to develop and troubleshoot advanced metallic material systems for satellites and ground infrastructure. You’ll perform materials characterization, joinery process development, and failure analysis to support high-volume manufacturing.

Qualifications include a materials-focused degree and hands-on experience with welding, soldering, brazing, and related alloys, plus experience in failure analysis and process optimization.

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).

Responsibilities

• Provide materials selection, characterization, qualification, and manufacturing process support for metallic and metal-joined 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

Welding engineering

Metallurgical engineering

SEM-EDS

Hardness testing

Failure analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering

Master's or PhD in related engineering discipline

Tools

SEM-EDS

Hardness testers

Spectroscopy

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) to develop and troubleshoot advanced metallic material systems for satellites and ground infrastructure. You’ll perform materials characterization, joinery process development, and failure analysis to support high-volume manufacturing.

Qualifications include a materials-focused degree and hands-on experience with welding, soldering, brazing, and related alloys, plus experience in failure analysis and process optimization.