Thermal Hardware Engineer (Starship)

$110,000 - $130,000/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 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 success of the Starship program, as it involves the development of high-rate and low-cost production systems for the heat shield tile manufacturing process. You will be responsible for developing material manufacturing systems by leveraging your in-depth knowledge of industrial mechanical and fluid systems. As a Thermal Hardware Engineer, you will also be expected to utilize and acquire knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and automation controls to ensure successful delivery of processes to production. Your role will involve modeling industrial mechanical assemblies, fluids routing, and facility design using CAD software, as well as creating and releasing detailed manufacturing drawings, schematics, and work instructions for build and fabrication. You will specify and down select components such as sensors, valves, pumps, piping, and tanks, providing detailed specifications for their purchase. In addition, you will act as the technical point of contact for equipment/system vendors, ensuring that deliverables meet system requirements and that delivery schedules are adhered to. You will own and drive system integration and activation schedules, meeting tight deadlines while working alongside skilled technician teams or contractors. Writing procedures for system activation, manufacturing operations, and preventative maintenance will also be part of your responsibilities. You will support the design, methodology, and implementation of control systems for heat shield material production by collaborating closely with the automation and controls team, delivering innovative solutions to assigned areas of ownership under minimal supervision or direction.

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
• 2+ years of professional experience integrating, designing, or building production equipment/hardware in an aerospace, industrial, chemical, or material manufacturing setting

Nice-to-haves

• 4+ 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
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Various discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 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