Senior Metals Engineer — Spacecraft Materials & Joints

SpaceX; Union Hill-Novelty Hill (WA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) plan

Medical, vision, dental

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) in Washington to lead materials selection, characterization, and process optimization for metallic hardware used on satellites and ground systems.

You'll perform failure analysis, develop joint properties, and collaborate with suppliers to qualify forgings and castings for high-volume production in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, or other Materials Engineering discipline.
• 5+ years of 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).
• Experience with characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS and optical microscopy.

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, allowables, 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

Aluminum alloys

Metal joining processes

Materials engineering

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Materials Science/Engineering

Master's degree in Materials Engineering

Tools

SEM-EDS

Optical microscopy

Hardness testing

Spectroscopy techniques

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer, Metals (Starlink) in Washington to lead materials selection, characterization, and process optimization for metallic hardware used on satellites and ground systems.

You'll perform failure analysis, develop joint properties, and collaborate with suppliers to qualify forgings and castings for high-volume production in a fast-paced, innovative environment.