MATERIALS ENGINEER, METALS

The Materials Engineering group is committed to solving ambitious material challenges across SpaceX.  Our vehicles and launch infrastructure are pushing the limits on performance, which require us to push the limits of materials. We are actively looking for candidates with an unrelenting motivation to take on new challenges that enable a high reliability, safe, and rapid launch cadence. The ideal candidate possesses a familiarity with metallic manufacturing processes (e.g., forging, casting, heat treatment), property development (e.g., physical, mechanical, fracture), and characterization of aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and nickel-based super alloys. You will regularly interface with engineering and production teams of Falcon and Dragon, as well as have hands-on responsibilities with flight hardware across structures, propulsion, and avionics assemblies of these vehicles. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide materials selection and manufacturing process support for metallic hardware on Falcon, Dragon and ground infrastructure assemblies
• Develop and execute test plans for mechanical and physical properties of metallic alloys and joints for the design community
• Perform root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and characterization testing
• Provide technical review and guidance for design efforts related to material alloy selection, material & process specifications, fracture requirements, etc.
• Collaborate with suppliers on qualification and property development of custom-manufactured forgings and castings
• Partner with production and engineering teams to solve complex material and processing challenges
• Own preparation of certification deliverables and communicating technical content at customer control boards

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in material science, materials engineering, metallurgical engineering, weld engineering, or STEM discipline
• Experience with basic characterization techniques and equipment, including optical microscopy, hardness testers, mechanical property testing, or spectroscopy techniques for composition or phase identification

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master's degree or PhD in material science, materials engineering, weld engineering, or metallurgical engineering
• 2+ years of professional, research, and/or internship experience with metallurgy in a materials engineering role
• Demonstrated experience performing failure analysis and fractography with advanced characterization techniques including SEM/EDS, FTIR spectrometer, DSC, and other laboratory instruments
• Demonstrated experience fostering an environment of high personal accountability and responsibility
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation in cutting-edge technology
• Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules
• Sound understanding of the interaction between material-process parameters and the resulting material performance
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately with a wide range of people
• Experience working in and maintaining a safe lab environment
• Hands-on experience in a high-production manufacturing environment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
• Some travel may be required
• This position is based in Hawthorne, CA and requires being onsite - remote work not considered

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:          

Materials Engineer/Level I: $95,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Materials Engineer/Level II: $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 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. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year.