Materials Engineer, Polymers (Dragon)

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.

MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMERS (DRAGON)

As an engineer within the Materials Engineering department, you will use your knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve difficult material and process challenges to enable highly reliable, low-cost, and continuous access to space, and to ensure safe spaceflight of crew and critical cargo.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own multi-flight qualification and certification of polymeric and elastomeric materials used on Dragon. These materials include structural and non-structural plastics and adhesives, coatings, elastomeric seals, thermal protection systems (TPS), textiles, and composites.
• Provide guidance to engineering and production teams on materials selection, testing and analysis of non-metallic materials
• Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis as a subject matter expert in nonmetallic materials
• Develop innovative material solutions that increase performance life, improve reliability, and reduce refurbishment processing
• Guide design changes through ownership of material specifications, requirements, property allowable generation, drawing reviews, and manufacturability assessments
• Own external customer communication and deliverables regarding certification and launch readiness, alongside coordinating technical discussions with multidisciplinary teams
• Interface with suppliers on technical issues, including material non-conformances and root cause investigations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, polymer science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a STEM field
• 1+ years of hands-on experience in materials characterization, manufacturing, and/or materials development (internship or project experience accepted)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in materials science and engineering, polymer science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a STEM field
• Hands-on experience developing, processing, testing, and qualifying aerospace polymeric and elastomeric materials, including silicones, structural adhesives, sealants, plastics, textiles, composites, and thermal protection materials
• Experience in polymer characterization methods and laboratory techniques, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, DMA, TMA, rheometry, optical microscopy, and mechanical property testing
• Experience in failure analysis, with broad knowledge of degradation mechanisms and failure modes of polymeric materials
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated attention to detail and a record of producing accurate technical deliverables
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a strong desire to both learn from and mentor others
• Experience preparing clear technical deliverables for engineering teams and external customers
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, demanding work environment
• Ability to create creative and scrappy solutions to evaluate material problems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs
• Willingness to travel as needed

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 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. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

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.