Thermal Hardware Specialist, Casting & Leaching

About the role

In this pivotal position, you will oversee the daily operations related to the production, casting, and leaching of heatshield tiles for the Starship program. Acting as the main communication bridge between the supervisory team and the production floor, your focus will be on ensuring the reliability of equipment, enhancing process efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards of quality in output.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the training programs for technicians, ensuring they are qualified to handle fiber delivery and casting equipment, including pumps, sensors, motors, and fluid systems.
• Supervise the workflows associated with fiber delivery and casting to guarantee accurate chemical dosing and effective material handling.
• Examine performance trends of the systems to schedule necessary inspections and verify that both sintered and cast materials comply with engineering specifications.
• Implement minor modifications to equipment and adjust processes to enhance production efficiency and product quality.
• Oversee the inventory of spare parts and maintain thorough documentation for all maintenance schedules and process modifications.
• Conduct daily inspections on the production floor to pinpoint operational inefficiencies and take corrective measures as needed.
• Uphold safety standards and ensure that all technicians adhere to established operating procedures to maintain a safe working environment.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot and resolve any issues that arise during production, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Prepare reports on production metrics and system performance to inform management decisions and strategic planning.
• Engage in continuous improvement initiatives to streamline operations and reduce waste.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to align production goals with overall project timelines and objectives.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent certification is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in operating or monitoring systems related to chemical manufacturing, leaching, reclamation, molding, or casting.
• Must be able to successfully pass an Air Force background check.
• Candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees to comply with ITAR regulations.
• Physical capability to stand for extended periods, work in high-temperature settings, and lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Flexibility to work long hours, weekends, and travel up to 15% of the time as required by business needs.

Nice to have

• Possession of a technical certification in manufacturing or industrial operations would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with statistical process control, design of experiments, root cause analysis, and measurement systems analysis is preferred.
• Proficiency in SQL and Microsoft Office applications is a plus.
• Experience in environments focused on high-volume testing and quality control will be beneficial.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in monitoring and control systems.
• Knowledge of industrial process controls.
• Ability to interpret technical data effectively.
• Strong skills in root cause analysis.
• Proficient in SQL and Microsoft Office suite.

Practical notes

• This role necessitates the ability to work in high-temperature environments and perform physically demanding tasks.
• Business-related travel will be required to meet operational needs.
• SpaceX is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations or access to the Affirmative Action Plan should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

In this role, you will be integral to the production of innovative technology that pushes the boundaries of space exploration. Your expertise will contribute to the success of the Starship program, and you will play a key role in ensuring that the heatshield tiles meet the rigorous standards necessary for safe and efficient space travel. Join us at SpaceX, where your skills will help shape the future of aerospace technology.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.