Thermal Development Technician, Robotic Welding (Starship)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in the United States is seeking a Thermal Development Technician for Robotic Welding (Starship). The role focuses on maintaining, programming, and operating robotic systems to support heat shield manufacturing and integration.

You will work with vacuum/thermal chambers, CNC machines, and robotic welders while documenting processes and ensuring equipment readiness. Experience with robots like Kuka or Fanuc is highly valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience using hand tools or power tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide maintenance on equipment: vacuum chambers, thermal chambers, CNC machines, and robotic welders.
• Maintain, repair, and operate robotic assets to ensure proper operation.
• Replace and install electrical components (switches, relays, relays, transformers, sensors) for temperature/pressure/position.
• Replace and install mechanical components (bearings, motors, gears, etc.).
• Support fabrication of ceramic refractory billets, tiles, and coatings for thermal protection systems.
• Document processes precisely for repeatability.
• Perform hardware inspection and rework as required.

Skills

Kuka robots

Fanuc robots

PLC programming

CNC machines

Electrical schematics

Electrical troubleshooting

Technician experience

Tools

Robotic welding equipment

Vacuum/thermal chambers

Job description

Thermal Development Technician, Robotic Welding (Starship)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

THERMAL DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN, ROBOTIC WELDING (STARSHIP)

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s most challenging problems, owning the development and integration of the heat shield for our next-generation spacecraft, Starship. This hardware must survive the most extreme environments known to mankind and protect our vehicle through atmospheric reentry. As a technician on the TPS team, you will primarily be responsible for maintaining, programming, and operating robotic and automated systems while supporting heat shield manufacturing and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide maintenance on various equipment: vacuum chambers, thermal chambers, CNC machines, and robotic welders
• Maintain, repair, and operate all robotic assets to ensure their proper operating condition
• Replace and install electrical components such as switches, relays, contactors, transformers, rectifiers, circuit breakers, fuses, and sensors for temperature/pressure/position
• Replace and install mechanical components such as bearings, bushings, motors, shafts, collars, couplings, pulleys, belts, gears, chains, rollers, pumps, valves, hoses, and o-rings on a variety of system equipment
• Support the fabrication of ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
• Support basic fabrication, surface preparation, bonding, and oven curing operations
• Document processes precisely to be able to replicate each step taken in the material processing
• Perform hardware inspection and rework as required

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Experience with various types of hand tools or hand-held power tools

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience operating and maintaining Kuka, Fanuc, or other 6-axis robots
• Experience working with PLC programming, robotics, and CNC machines
• Basic understanding of stud arc welding
• 3+ years of experience with electrical system troubleshooting
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
• Ability to describe and navigate through a machine’s functions, root cause recurrent issues, and identify the cross-referenced parts needed for repairs
• 3+ years of experience as a technician
• Experience within the aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, or electronic manufacturing fields
• Experience with hand/power tools, forklifts, and other heavy equipment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work one of the following shifts:
  • Monday- Friday (6:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.)
  • Monday -Friday (6:00 p.m. - 6:30 a.m.)
• Willing to work overtime when necessary
• Hold or be will to obtain a valid Driver's License
• Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 1 hour per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 50lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 6 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 6 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: Up to 6 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees Up to 1 hour per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), using an air purifying respirator, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
• Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) 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 here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX 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 SpaceX’s Aff.