SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Thermal Development Technician - Heat Shield, Starship

Machine & Process OperationPosted on Nov 10

Full-timeCape Canaveral, FL, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required.
At least 1 year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations is required.
Candidates must be able to pass the Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
Candidates must be able to work one of the listed day or night shifts and support schedule flexibility and overtime as needed.
Candidates must be able to wear and obtain certification in an air respirator.
Candidates must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds unassisted.
Candidates must be willing to travel to other sites to support critical business needs, up to 10% of the time.
The role generally requires standing for long periods; climbing ladders; bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching.
Applicants must meet U.S. export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Responsibilities

Process and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders used to fabricate products.
Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components for thermal protection systems.
Prepare laminate fabrication, surface preparation, and vacuum bagging; check completed bagged parts for leaks; and perform vacuum bag processing, bonding, and oven curing.
Precisely document processes so each material-processing step can be replicated.
Inspect products and perform rework as required.
Read and interpret engineering drawings, including drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes.
Assist with production machinery maintenance and repair.

Desired Qualifications

Experience setting up assemblies and parts in processing and curing equipment, such as ovens and high-temperature kilns, to achieve the desired set and cure.
Experience with composite tooling materials.
Skill in mechanical testing, primarily using Instron.
Ability to accurately measure and mix materials using scales, beakers, and monitoring probes for tile coatings, sealants, and RTV applications.
Comfort working with solvents, ceramic precursors, inorganic acids, and bases.
Experience with thermal protection systems (TPS) or phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA).
Experience applying sealants, alodine, primer, adhesives, and special finishes.
Understanding of basic mathematical concepts.

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 DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN, HEAT SHIELD (STARSHIP) - MULTIPLE SHIFTS

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s toughest problems by developing and producing the heat shields for our next-generation rockets and spacecraft. This hardware must survive the most extreme environments known to mankind and protect our vehicle through atmospheric entry.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Process and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders required for the fabrication of next-tier products
Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
Prepare basic laminate fabrication, surface preparation, and vacuum bagging; check seals on completed bagged parts for leaks, and perform vacuum bag processing, bonding, and oven curing
Document processes precisely to be able to replicate each step taken in the material processing
Perform product inspection and rework as required
Read and interpret engineering drawings with an understanding of drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes
Assist in the maintenance and repair of production machinery

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
1+ year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Experience setting up assemblies and parts in various types of processing and curing equipment such as an ovens and high temperature kilns to obtain desired set and cure
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 for the process of tile coatings, sealants and RTV applications
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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
Ability to work one of the following shifts:
- Day shift: 6:00am - 6:00pm Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday
- Night shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday
Flexibility in work schedule, supporting all shifts/overtime as necessary, to support business needs
Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respirator
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
Willing to travel to other sites to support critical business needs (up to 10% of the time)
Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position

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 [email protected].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

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