Starship Materials R&D Technician

SpaceX; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Texas. You will perform standardized mechanical tests, fabricate test articles, and collaborate with engineering to validate materials and processes for high-performance launch hardware.

You will operate testing equipment, analyze data, and contribute to a fast-paced, cross-functional lab focused on materials innovation and reliability in a mission-critical environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 1+ years in materials testing and machining.
• Experience with composites layup, bonding or assembly.
• Hands-on lab experience in a research setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical tests (tensile, compression, fatigue, fracture) across cryogenic to elevated temps.
• Operate and report data from mechanical testing software.
• Collaborate with engineering on non‑standard test work for design validation.
• Fabricate test articles (machining, welding, bonding, fixturing).
• Characterize materials and welds; prepare samples; use microscopes and SEM/EDS/FTIR.
• Operate mills, routers, lathes, grinders; CNC program capability preferred.
• Ensure calibration of test equipment; document results for engineering.
• Analyze data and communicate findings; maintain clean workspace.
• Run cure ovens and temperature loggers; manage lab safety.

Skills

Materials testing

Machining

Composites layup/bonding/assembly

Laboratory work

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Metallography tools

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Materials R&D Technician (Starship) to join our Starbase team in Texas. You will perform standardized mechanical tests, fabricate test articles, and collaborate with engineering to validate materials and processes for high-performance launch hardware.

You will operate testing equipment, analyze data, and contribute to a fast-paced, cross-functional lab focused on materials innovation and reliability in a mission-critical environment.