Integration Engineer, Heatshield (Starship)

SpaceX
Starbase, TX
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward mechanical engineers comfortable with hands-on thermal protection system development in a dynamic aerospace environment.

Best fit for

  • Mechanical engineers with hands-on thermal protection system experience
    — “Hands-on experience with hardware that has had to perform in challenging thermal environments
  • Candidates who thrive in multidisciplinary aerospace projects
    — “Coordinate with analysis, avionics, structures, supply chain, and reliability engineers
  • Engineers comfortable with end-to-end hardware development
    — “Own the outcome and set up the end-to-end solutions to thermal challenges

Things to consider

  • Requires extended hours and weekend availability
    — “Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
  • Must be eligible for US government security clearance
    — “Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific thermal protection materials you've worked with
    — “Familiarity and experience with production, installation, qualification, and use of thermal protection system materials
  • Demonstrate experience driving design improvements from flight data
    — “Analyze and troubleshoot post-flight conditions on vehicle heatshields to drive vehicle changes
  • Showcase CAD skills with thermal system examples
    — “Experience using Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · CompanyLevel · Mid

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • robust heat shield development
  • successful reentry vehicle missions
  • post-flight data-driven optimizations
Typical background
mechanical engineeringmaterial scienceaerospace engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Thermal Protection System DesignAerothermal Heating AnalysisMaterial Science

Preferred

CAD Software ProficiencyReentry Vehicle ExperienceProduction And Qualification Testing

Stack & domain

Mechanical EngineeringThermal Protection SystemsSpacecraft Engineering

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

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.

INTEGRATION ENGINEER, HEATSHIELD (STARSHIP)

Starship requires a robust Thermal Protection System (TPS) to withstand the extreme heat generated during atmospheric reentry at hypersonic speeds. The thermal hardware team is responsible for the design, analysis, integration, and continuous improvement of Starship's reentry heatshield and structures. As a mechanical engineer, you will drive the development of the next-generation heat shield from concept and detailed mechanical design to thermal-structural modeling, qualification testing, production, integration, flight rationale, and post-flight data-driven optimizations. At Starbase, you will have the opportunity to work in an exciting and dynamic environment, dividing your time between the office and the production floor to ensure the delivery of the best-engineered product and ultimately mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, test, and qualify new or refined thermal protection system solutions for our Starship architecture

Own the outcome and set up the end-to-end solutions to thermal challenges from idea to flying hardware

Work with production on resolving issues on the floor and on the vehicle with our flight hardware

Analyze and troubleshoot post-flight conditions on vehicle heatshields to drive vehicle changes and improvements

Coordinate with analysis, avionics, structures, supply chain, and reliability engineers to drive multidisciplinary projects

Work with outside vendors, suppliers, and testing resources to bring in new materials, capabilities, or processes

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in material science, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or aerospace engineering

1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, or building mechanical or thermal systems (internship and school projects experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

3+ years of experience working on thermal protection systems

Strong fundamentals in aerothermal heating on reentry vehicles

Strong fundamentals in the materials and mechanisms by which thermal protection systems operate

Hands-on experience with hardware that has had to perform in challenging thermal environments such as rockets, reentry vehicles or other extreme temperature applications

Ability to drive open-ended design and development challenges

Familiarity and experience with production, installation, qualification, and use of thermal protection system materials

Experience using Siemens NX, or similar CAD software

Ability to perform basic thermal or mechanical analysis

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary

Ability to travel domestically

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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