Thermal Development Technician (Starship)

InvestedintheMission; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Thermal Development Technician for Heat Shield (Starship) across multiple shifts. Join the TPS team to develop and produce ceramic fibers, tiles, and coatings used in thermal protection systems for next-generation rockets and spacecraft.

The role involves reading engineering drawings, operating high-temperature ovens and kilns, performing inspections and rework, and supporting production machinery maintenance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1+ year of production/manufacturing/industrial operations experience.
• Familiarity with reading engineering drawings.
• Willing to travel up to 10% of the time and flexibility with shifts.

Responsibilities

• Process and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders for thermal protection system products.
• Fabricate ceramic billets, tiles, and coatings for TPS components.
• Prepare laminate fabrication, surface prep, vacuum bagging, and verify seals for leaks.

Skills

Production experience

Reading drawings

Vacuum bagging

Measurement tools

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Instron testing

TPS experience

Composite tooling

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, HEAT SHIELD (STARSHIP) - MULTIPLE SHIFTS

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s toughest problems by developing and producing 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders required for the fabrication of next-tier products
• Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
• Prepare basic laminate fabrication, surface preparation, and vacuum bagging; check seals on completed bagged parts for leaks, and perform vacuum bag 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 of drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of production machinery

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 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
• Experience with composite tooling materials
• Skilled in mechanical testing (mainly Instron)
• Proficient/experienced to accurately measure and mix using scales, beakers and various monitoring probes 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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Ability to work one of the following shifts:
  • Day shift: 6:00am - 6:00pm Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday
  • Night shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday
• Flexibility in work schedule, supporting all shifts/overtime as necessary, to support business needs
• Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respirator
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Willing to travel to other sites to support critical business needs (up to 10% of the time)
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position

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.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affiative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].