Materials Engineer, Polymers (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward materials engineers with polymer expertise who thrive in fast-paced production environments and can handle physical workspace constraints.

Best fit for

  • Materials engineers with hands-on polymer processing experience in consumer electronics.
    — “experience with characterizing, testing, and evaluating the performance of thermoplastics
  • Professionals comfortable scaling polymer solutions from prototype to mass production.
    — “Lead successful scale-up from prototype to production
  • Candidates adept at diagnosing polymer failures in industrial settings.
    — “Engage in root cause failure investigations

Things to consider

  • Must be willing to work extended hours including weekends.
    — “available to work extended hours and weekends
  • Requires occasional work in confined spaces with exposure to fumes.
    — “Comfort occasionally working in tight or confined spaces
  • 25% travel commitment expected for this role.
    — “travel up to 25% time

How to stand out

  • Highlight specific polymer characterization techniques you've mastered.
    — “polymer characterization techniques and equipment
  • Demonstrate experience developing custom test methods for materials.
    — “Development of new testing techniques and custom test jigs
  • Showcase successful production transfers of polymer components.
    — “successfully transferring to production
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Mid

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

What success looks like

  • successful scale-up from prototype to production
  • development of new processes
  • improvement of efficiencies
Typical background
materials scienceengineering discipline

Skills & requirements

Required

Materials SciencePolymer EngineeringMaterial SelectionMaterial ProcessingFailure Analysis

Preferred

Sem-edsFTIRDSCTGALFARheometryOptical MicroscopyHardness TestersMechanical Property Testing

Stack & domain

Materials ScienceEngineeringPolymer EngineeringPolymer Characterization TechniquesSem-edsFtirDscTgaLfaRheometryOptical MicroscopyHardness TestersMechanical Property TestingCollaborationProblem-solvingRoot Cause Failure InvestigationsElectronics

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.

MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMERS (STARLINK) 

Starlink, our revolutionary satellite constellation, will deliver low-latency broadband internet worldwide. We are committed to offering access to high-speed internet to customers, and are looking for a Polymers Engineer to utilize their knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve material selection and processing challenges as we ramp service. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Responsible for the development, test and performance evaluation of polymeric materials used across various Starlink products 

Support polymer selection and implementation by collaborating with design engineers to establish required design inputs for ensuring a cost-effective and reliable mass consumer electronic 

Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation products 

Lead successful scale-up from prototype to production of relevant injection molded parts 

Engage in root cause failure investigations as a subject matter expert for failure mechanisms 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in materials science or an engineering discipline 

1+ years of experience with characterizing, testing, and evaluating the performance of thermoplastics, elastomers, and/or adhesives 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Master's degree or PhD in materials science, materials engineering, or polymer engineering  

5+ years of professional work experience (consumer products or electronics sectors are preferable) 

Diverse knowledge of polymeric and elastomeric materials and their processing 

Knowledge of polymer additives, fillers, and reinforcements, and their impact on polymer processing 

Experience in polymer characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, rheometry, optical microscopy, hardness testers, and mechanical property testing 

Broad understanding of failure modes in polymeric materials 

Experience with developing new processes, improving efficiencies and successfully transferring to production 

Development of new testing techniques and custom test jigs 

Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast-paced and highly competitive environment 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be available to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% time

Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise

Comfort occasionally working in tight or confined spaces

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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