Materials Engineer, Metals (Starship)

Hawthorne, CAfull timeOn Site

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entry

$100k–$130k

H1B: no

SpaceX Materials Engineer, Metals (Starship) designs and develops materials and processes for propulsion, mechanism, and valve system components on Starship/Super Heavy vehicles. The role involves improving manufacturing reliability, developing material properties, and collaborating with engineering teams.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and deploy materials and process direction for propulsion, mechanism, and valve system designs and manufacturing
Increase reliability of internal design’s manufacturing processes through material and process selection, analysis, development, and test
Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials
Improve our special processes and materials through characterization and development
Work directly with component design build and test engineering, design reliability, and production teams on a daily basis
Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing
Provide technical reviews and advising for design efforts specifically related to drawings, specifications, and material requirements
Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles

Qualification

Tribological processes including

Required

Bachelor's degree in materials engineering or other engineering discipline with emphasis on materials
2+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role

Preferred

Master's degree or PhD in materials engineering or related field
Experience and expertise with multiple of the following manufacturing methods: tribological coatings (conversion, inorganic, dry-film lubricants), sheet/plate metal processing, casting, forging, brazing, welding, and heat treating
Tribological processes including, but not limited to evaluating and implementing protective coatings (polyurethane, urethane, conversion coating, inorganic coatings, dry-film lubricants, etc.) for internal and external environmental conditions including thermal, wear, atmospheric, and space environments
Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals including wear, tensile, fracture and fatigue and
Familiarity with development of design allowables
Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and metallographic analysis
Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys
Knowledge of fluid and gas compatibility for various launch vehicle and spacecraft propulsion and fluid systems