Thermal Development Technician, Heat Shield (Starship) - Multiple Shifts

The role

The Thermal Protection Systems team develops and produces heat shields for rockets and spacecraft. This person will process ceramic materials and fabricate components for thermal protection systems.

What you will do

• Process and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders
• Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components
• Prepare basic laminate fabrication, surface preparation, and vacuum bagging
• Check seals on completed bagged parts for leaks
• Perform vacuum bag processing, bonding, and oven curing
• Document processes precisely to replicate each step
• Perform product inspection and rework
• Read and interpret engineering drawings
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of production machinery

Required qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respirator
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching

Nice to have

• Experience setting up assemblies and parts in various types of processing and curing equipment such as an ovens and high temperature kilns
• 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
• 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

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful, permanent resident, Refugee, or Asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

About the company

SpaceX is developing technologies to enable human life on Mars. The company was founded on the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is more exciting than one where we are not.