Sr. Materials Engineer, Metals (Starship)

United States Digital Space LLC; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Starbase is seeking a Sr. Materials Engineer, Metals to advance high-performance flight hardware and a rapid launch system.

You will develop materials, processes, and reliability improvements for next-generation vehicles, with emphasis on metals, mechanical testing, and fractography. On-site role in Starbase, TX, with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering required.
• 5+ years of professional, research, or internship experience working on metals in a materials engineering role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own outcomes of critical materials to the program.
• Oversee the entire scope of a material from inception to flight.
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials.
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing.
• Develop and implement reliability improvements in designs and manufacturing.
• Work directly with engineers developing the flight hardware to ensure proper utilization of materials.
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject‑matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on current and next-generation vehicles.

Skills

Materials engineering

Metallography

Fractography

Mechanical testing

Failure analysis

SEM analysis

Aerospace metals

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering

Master’s or PhD in materials science or engineering

Job description

The company was founded under the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we do not. Today the company is actively developing the technologies to enable human life on Mars.

SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER, METALS (STARSHIP)

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet: making humanity multiplanetary. This challenge isn’t for everyone—the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state—but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our vehicles and launch infrastructure push the limits on performance and require us to push the limits of materials. Developing new materials, new processes and quickly solving problems is critical to advancing our mission.

As a member of this team you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high-performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills, advanced knowledge, and hands‑on expertise in high-performance metals and materials will help us push this envelope.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own outcomes of critical materials to our program.
• Oversee the entire scope of a material from inception to flight.
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials.
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing.
• Develop and implement reliability improvements in designs and manufacturing.
• Work directly with engineers developing the flight hardware to ensure proper utilization of materials.
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject‑matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next-generation vehicles.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering.
• 5+ years of professional, research, and/or internship experience working on metals in a materials engineering role.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science or engineering.
• 10+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role.
• Demonstrated experience where quick thinking and tangible problem‑solving skills play a critical role.
• Demonstrated experience fostering an environment of extremely high personal accountability and responsibility.
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals.
• Familiarity with standard testing methods for materials and development of design allowables.
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and metallographic analysis.
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys.
• Hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Infrequent travel to other company sites such as California or Florida.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner 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 wishing to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].