Thermal Hardware Engineer (Starship Heat Shield)

The role

You will design, build, and integrate novel systems for the mass production of Starship Heat Shield tiles. This involves engineering automated manufacturing systems and modeling assemblies using CAD software.

What you will do

• Engineer automated manufacturing systems utilizing knowledge of industrial mechanical and fluid systems
• Utilize mechanical, process, materials science, and automation controls to deliver processes to production
• Model industrial mechanical assemblies, fluid routing, and assemblies using CAD software
• Create and release detailed manufacturing drawings, schematics, and work instructions
• Specify and down-select components such as sensors, valves, pumps, machining hardware, and mechanisms
• Act as the technical point of contact for equipment/system vendors
• Own and drive system integration and activation schedules
• Work in the field alongside and leading skilled technician teams or contractors
• Write procedures for system activation, manufacturing operations, and preventative maintenance
• Support design, methodology, and implementation of control systems for heat shield material production

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or manufacturing engineering
• 1+ years of hands-on build or design experience (internship, club, and competition team experience qualifies)
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Must be willing to travel to other SpaceX locations as necessary
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required

Nice to have

• 4+ years of experience working integration/design/build in high rate, high volume production environment
• Hands-on experience working automated mechanical and machining/assembly systems in a professional setting
• Demonstrated experience with creation and monitoring of statistical process control for key process parameters and quality metrics
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, build, operation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing systems
• Demonstrated experience with GD&T and mechanical drafting
• Experience using Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
• Experience drafting and updating piping and instrumentations schematics
• Experience using SQL or other similar data base systems
• Familiarity with industrial control systems (such as PLCs)
• Excellent written and oral communication, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences

Before you apply

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.

About the company

SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make human life on Mars possible. The company 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.