Senior Materials Engineer for AI Satellite Compute

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer for the Starmind program to own the life‑cycle of hardware enabling on‑orbit AI processing and data center workloads.

You will work at the intersection of materials science, mechanical and thermal engineering, correlating performance with packaging choices for high‑reliability space hardware. The role focuses on developing materials specification, validation, and process development, while coordinating with mechanical, thermal, electrical, software, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials science, mechanical engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in microelectronics device research or manufacturing.
• Exposure to scripting or data analysis tools (Python, MATLAB) for process data analysis or automation.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures, or jigs for assembly or test applications.
• Familiarity with manufacturing process development methodologies (e.g., PFMEA, SPC).

Responsibilities

• Rapidly develop high-reliability microelectronics packages, cooling systems, and radiator hardware for satellites.
• Own the full lifecycle of materials specification, validation, and process development.
• Drive system trades, requirements capture, materials selection, prototyping, manufacturing, failure analysis.
• Build supply chains for build-up layers, plating chemicals, coatings, TIMs, and other materials for compute and satellite manufacturing.

Skills

Experience

Scripting/data analysis

Precision assemblies

Cleanroom familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in materials science or engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer for the Starmind program to own the life‑cycle of hardware enabling on‑orbit AI processing and data center workloads.

You will work at the intersection of materials science, mechanical and thermal engineering, correlating performance with packaging choices for high‑reliability space hardware. The role focuses on developing materials specification, validation, and process development, while coordinating with mechanical, thermal, electrical, software, and