Thermal Development Technician (Starship)

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Thermal Development Technician for the Starship program. You will work on the TPS team to develop heat shields for rockets and spacecraft, spending time on the factory floor, in the lab, and in the office to enable crewed missions.

You will preprocess ceramic materials, fabricate TPS components, and document processes to ensure repeatable results while utilizing tools, ovens, kilns, and robotics in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Preprocess and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders for next-tier products.
• Fabricate ceramic billets, tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other TPS components.
• Perform basic fabrication and surface preparation, bonding and oven curing.
• Document processes precisely to ensure repeatability.
• Perform product inspection and rework as needed.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and notes.
• Assist in maintenance and repair of production machinery.

Skills

Precision measurement instruments

Robotics operation

Reading engineering drawings

Automation PLC experience

Handling solvents and ceramics

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Kuka robots

Simantic HMIs

Ovens and kilns

Job description

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 (STARSHIP)

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s toughest problems by developing the heat shields for our next generation rockets and spacecraft. This hardware must survive the most extreme environments known to mankind and protect our vehicle through atmospheric entry. As a technician on the TPS team, you will thrive in a hands‑on environment and will spend time in the office, on the factory floor, and in the lab to execute on the mission to bring the capability of flying astronauts back to the United States.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Preprocess and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders required for the fabrication of next-tier products (candidate must be comfortable working with these types of ceramic materials)
• Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
• Basic fabrication, surface preparation for processing, bonding, and oven curing
• Document processes precisely to be able to replicate each step taken in the material processing
• Perform product inspection and rework as required
• Read and interpret engineering drawings with an understanding for drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of production machinery

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

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

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to use precision measuring instruments (calipers, height gauge, depth mic)
• Ability to operate personnel platforms (boom lifts, scissor lifts, etc.)
• Ability to perform work according to procedures and specifications
• Experience setting up assemblies and parts in various types of processing and curing equipment such as an ovens and high temperature kilns to obtain desired set and cure
• Proficient/experienced to accurately measure and mix using scales for the process of tile coatings, sealants and RTV applications
• Comfortable working with solvents, ceramic precursors, inorganic acids and bases
• Experience with thermal protection system (TPS) or phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA)
• Experience applying sealants, alodine, primer, adhesives, and special finishes
• Good understanding of basic mathematical concepts
• Fluent in the Office platform (Microsoft Word, and Excel)
• Experience operating and maintaining Kuka or other 6 –axis robots
• Experience in using Simantic or other HMIs
• Basic understanding of stud arc welding
• Basic understanding of robotic automation
• Experience working with Programmable Logic Control (PLC) in an automation setting

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.)
• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Possess a valid Driver 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

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.

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