Materials Engineer (Starship)

MATERIALS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multiplanetary. This challenge isn’t for everyone – the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state – but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our vehicles and launch infrastructure are pushing the limits on performance and require us to push the limits of materials. Developing new materials, new processes and quickly solving problems is critical to advancing our mission. If you are a high performing engineer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you. 

As a member of this team you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills, advanced knowledge and hands on expertise in high performance metals and materials will be help us push this envelope.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own outcomes of critical materials to our program.
• Oversee the entire scope of a material from inception to flight.
• Develop physical, mechanical, and thermal properties for materials.
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and testing.
• Develop and implement reliability improvements in designs and manufacturing.
• Work directly with engineers developing the flight hardware to ensure proper utilization of materials.
• Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science or engineering.
• 2+ years of professional, research, and/or internship experience working on metallics in a materials engineering role.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science or engineering. 
• 2+ years of professional work experience in a materials engineering related role.
• Demonstrated experience where quick thinking and tangible problem-solving skills play a critical role.
• Demonstrated experience fostering an environment of extremely high personal accountability and responsibility.
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods for metals.
• Familiarity with standard testing methods for materials and development of design allowables.
• Experience with failure analysis and fractography including characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and metallographic analysis.
• Knowledge of aerospace metals including nickel-based alloys, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, and titanium alloys.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Infrequent travel to other SpaceX sites such as California or Florida.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:          

Materials Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 – $115,000.00/per year  

Materials Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 – $130,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.