Sr. Thermal Hardware Engineer (Starship)

$125,000 - $175,000/Yr

SpaceX - Cape Canaveral, FL

Full-time - Mid Level

Cape Canaveral, FL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

SpaceX is currently seeking talented individuals for a Sr. Thermal Hardware Engineer position on the Starship heat shield engineering team. In this role, you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to rapidly design, build, and integrate novel systems required for mass production of Starship heat shield tiles. This position is critical to the development of the heat shield manufacturing process, which is essential for the success of the Starship program. You will be responsible for owning the design, build, and integration of high-rate/low-cost production systems for the heat shield tile manufacturing process. This includes developing material manufacturing systems by utilizing in-depth knowledge of industrial mechanical and fluid systems, as well as ensuring successful delivery of processes to production by acquiring knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and automation controls. You will model industrial mechanical assemblies, fluids routing, and facility design using CAD software, and create and release detailed manufacturing drawings, schematics, and work instructions for build and fabrication. Additionally, you will specify and down select components such as sensors, valves, pumps, piping, and tanks, providing detailed specifications for their purchase. As the technical point of contact for equipment/system vendors, you will ensure that deliverables meet system requirements and that delivery schedules are met. You will also own and drive system integration and activation schedules, working closely with skilled technician teams or contractors to meet tight deadlines. Your role will involve writing procedures for system activation, manufacturing operations, and preventative maintenance, as well as supporting the design, methodology, and implementation of control systems for heat shield material production by collaborating with the automation and controls team. You will be expected to deliver innovative solutions to assigned areas of ownership under minimal supervision or direction, making this a highly autonomous and impactful position within the team.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, build, and integration of high-rate/low-cost production systems for the heat shield tile manufacturing process
• Develop material manufacturing systems by utilizing in-depth knowledge of industrial mechanical and fluid systems
• Utilize and acquire knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and automation controls to ensure successful delivery of processes to production
• Model industrial mechanical assemblies, fluids routing, and facility design using CAD software
• Create and release detailed manufacturing drawings, schematics, and work instructions for build and fabrication
• Specify and down select components such as sensors, valves, pumps, piping, and tanks, and provide detailed specifications for their purchase
• Act as technical point of contact for equipment/system vendors by ensuring deliverables meet system requirements and delivery schedule is met
• Own and drive system integration and activation schedules meeting tight deadlines
• Work and lead alongside skilled technician teams or contractors
• Write procedures for system activation, manufacturing operations, and preventative maintenance
• Support design, methodology, and implementation of control systems for heat shield material production by working closely with the automation and controls team
• Deliver innovative solutions to assigned areas of ownership under minimal supervision or direction

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, materials engineering, or manufacturing engineering
• 5+ years of professional experience integrating, designing, or building production equipment/hardware in an aerospace, industrial, chemical, or material manufacturing setting

Nice-to-haves

• 7+ years of experience working integration/design/build in aerospace, industrial, chemical, or material manufacturing processes
• Hands-on experience working with fluid or mechanical systems in a professional setting
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, build, and operation of hazardous processing equipment
• Demonstrated expertise in activating and commissioning industrial production systems
• Experience using Siemens NX, SOLIDWORKS, or similar CAD software
• Experience drafting and updating piping and instrumentation schematics
• Experience using SQL or other similar database systems
• Familiarity with industrial control systems (such as PLCs)
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, especially translating technical concepts for non-technical audiences
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various other discounts and perks
• Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year
• 5 days of sick leave per year
• Long-term incentives in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards
• Potential discretionary bonuses
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan