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.

STARSHIP THERMAL HARDWARE ENGINEER

Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multi-planetary. 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. Our heatshield and associated hardware are critical to get to a highly reusable launch vehicle and in the future a reliable system to land our vehicles on Mars. If you are a high performer, 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 team member 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 will help us iterate and build up to the most reliable and reusable heatshields for low Earth operations.  You’ll also help us develop the heatshield and production processes for the first high-production rate vehicle we’ll use to colonize Mars.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, test, and qualify new or refined thermal protection system solutions for our Starship architecture
• Own the outcome and setup the end-to-end solutions to thermal challenges from idea to flying hardware
• Work with production on resolving issues on the floor and on the vehicle with our flight hardware
• Analyze and troubleshoot post-flight conditions on vehicle heatshields to drive vehicle changes and improvements
• Coordinate with analysis, avionics, structures, supply chain, and reliability engineers to drive multidisciplinary projects
• Work with outside vendors, suppliers, and testing resources to bring in new materials, capabilities, or processes

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, material science, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or chemical engineering
• 1+ years of experience working on thermal protection systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience working on thermal protection systems
• Strong fundamentals in aerothermal heating on reentry vehicles
• Strong fundamentals in the materials and mechanisms by which thermal protection systems operate
• Hands-on experience with hardware that has had to perform in challenging thermal environments such as rockets, reentry vehicles or other extreme temperature applications
• Ability to drive open-ended design and development challenges
• Familiarity and experience with production, installation, qualification and use of thermal protection system materials
• Experience using Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
• Ability to perform basic thermal or mechanical analysis

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Ability to travel domestically
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:Thermal Engineer/Level 1: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per yearThermal Engineer/Level 2: $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 & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation & will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year.

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 notify the Human Resources Department at (310) 363-6000.