Materials Engineer, Test

About the role

Join the Starbase team to advance the development of Starship and support the mission of making humanity multiplanetary. This role focuses on high-performance flight hardware, production lines, and launch systems in a demanding, hands-on environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Manage material outcomes for the program.
• Design and execute component and engine-level tests to verify hardware survivability and performance.
• Oversee full test campaigns, including planning, system activation, execution, data analysis, and test stand fabrication.
• Create and maintain test scripts, procedures, sequences, and configuration files.
• Operate and troubleshoot data acquisition systems, instrumentation, and wiring, primarily using National Instruments hardware.
• Automate test operations to improve safety and efficiency.
• Conduct root cause investigations using metallography, fractography, and testing.
• Partner with hardware design engineers to ensure appropriate material application.

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in materials science, engineering, or a related STEM field.
• 2+ years of professional, research, or internship experience in materials engineering, specifically working with polymers, metallics, or testing.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to meet ITAR requirements.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, and varying shifts as needed.
• Physical ability to lift up to 25 lbs, work in tight spaces, and endure extreme outdoor weather conditions.

Nice to have

• 2 years of hands-on experience in propulsion, structural, mechanical, fluid systems, or flight hardware operations.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, or Inventor.
• Experience with failure analysis, including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) use and metallographic analysis.
• Knowledge of aerospace metals, including stainless steels, nickel-based alloys, titanium, and aluminum.
• Familiarity with instrumentation like load cells, pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, flow meters, strain gauges, and accelerometers.
• Understanding of mechanical testing methods, design allowables, and manufacturing environments.

Skills & tools

• National Instruments DAQ systems
• Metallography and fractography
• Mechanical and electrical schematics
• 3D modeling software

Practical notes

• This role involves infrequent travel to other sites, including Florida or California.
• The work environment involves exposure to noise, fumes, and odors.
• SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations are available for the application process.