Thermal Hardware Specialist, Coatings & Waterproofing (Starship)

Cape Canaveral, FL

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 HARDWARE SPECIALIST, COATINGS & WATERPROOFING (STARSHIP)

The Thermal Hardware Specialist is responsible for the continuous monitoring and operation of the ceramic tile production coatings and waterproofing cells. This role oversees two closely integrated processes through production. They will focus on analyzing system performance, training staff, and driving improvements to enhance quality, efficiency, and reliability. This position requires a deep understanding of both materials science (understanding correlations between upstream and downstream processes) and the hardware applied in production. The Specialist is the bridge between supervisors and day-to-day production.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Lead training sessions, develop systems and processes to ensure technicians have qualifications to monitor and control the tile glazing and waterproofing process and hardware
  • Oversee processes, understanding trends and failures of the process, analyzing and proposing changes, or emphasizing process rigors with technicians and supervision to ensure high-quality output in a weekly manner
  • Ensure methods and instruments are operating correctly and technicians have proper tools and instructions to follow daily checks to ensure system health
  • Understand system trends to propose and review regular inspections and tests to ensure the quality of glazed and waterproofed material, preparing and consolidating information that can be used to make decisions and process changes
  • Review and propose test plans to ensure production stability
  • Implement small-scale system improvements, such as process tweaks, hardware and minor equipment modifications, or workflow optimizations, to boost efficiency and quality outcomes, always in partnership with leadership and engineering
  • Ensure that hardware and process are being optimized and documented to ensure process stability based on lessons learned
  • Review, maintain and propose changes to all maintenance plans
  • Ensure training for all technicians through documentation and validation of qualifications necessary to perform routine maintenance, ensure operational efficiency and longevity
  • Be the champion and drive maintenance completion on time, ensuring good spare parts plan is discussed with engineering and support propose changes as needed and as process grow
  • Perform walk downs, identifying process, training and flow gaps; being actively proposing solutions and actions to increase cell reliability
  • Ensure proper training and that daily operations adhere to all safety protocols and procedures, promptly reporting any hazards or incidents
  • Maintain accurate records at work orders and assets, being the champion to ensure process changes are well followed and deployed with technicians
  • Partner with process and design engineers to ensure correct process and hardware actions to sustain production of quality material

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • 3+ years of experience with monitoring and operating controls systems in a manufacturing environment

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Technical certification in industrial operations or manufacturing
  • Experience in tile or ceramics manufacturing
  • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation and mission of improving reliability in cutting-edge technology
  • Demonstrated application of process controls in high volume manufacturing, test, and quality environment
  • Knowledge of quality tools, measurement systems analysis, design of experiments, statistical process control, root cause analysis and corrective action, control plans, and various problem-solving approaches
  • Proficiency in using monitoring and control systems
  • Ability to interpret technical data and make informed adjustments
  • Computer skill sets such as SQL, Microsoft Office, or other electronic systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
  • Ability to work in high-temperature environments and stand for extended periods
  • Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and offsite as needed
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
  • Must be willing to travel for business and operational needs, travel requirement is up to 15%

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

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