Materials Engineer, Polymers; Dragon

Position: Materials Engineer, Polymers (Dragon)
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 (DRAGON)
As an engineer within the Materials Engineering department, you will use your knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve difficult material and process challenges to enable highly reliable, low-cost, and continuous access to space, and to ensure safe spaceflight of crew and critical cargo.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Own multi-flight qualification and certification of polymeric and elastomeric materials used on Dragon. These materials include structural and non-structural plastics and adhesives, coatings, elastomeric seals, thermal protection systems (TPS), textiles, and composites.

Provide guidance to engineering and production teams on materials selection, testing and analysis of non-metallic materials

Lead root cause investigations and failure analysis as a subject matter expert in nonmetallic materials

Develop innovative material solutions that increase performance life, improve reliability, and reduce refurbishment processing

Guide design changes through ownership of material specifications, requirements, property allowable generation, drawing reviews, and manufacturability assessments

Own external customer communication and deliverables regarding certification and launch readiness, alongside coordinating technical discussions with multidisciplinary teams

Interface with suppliers on technical issues, including material non-conformances and root cause investigations

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering, polymer science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a STEM field1+ years of hands-on experience in materials characterization, manufacturing, and/or materials development (internship or project experience accepted)
PREFERRED

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Master’s degree or PhD in materials science and engineering, polymer science, chemical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a STEM field

Hands-on experience developing, processing, testing, and qualifying aerospace polymeric and elastomeric materials, including silicones, structural adhesives, sealants, plastics, textiles, composites, and thermal protection materials

Experience in polymer characterization methods and laboratory techniques, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, DMA, TMA, rheometry, optical microscopy, and mechanical property testing

Experience in failure analysis, with broad knowledge of degradation mechanisms and failure modes of polymeric materials

Effective written and verbal communication skills

Demonstrated attention to detail and a record of producing accurate technical deliverables

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with a strong desire to both learn from and mentor others

Experience preparing clear technical deliverables for engineering teams and external customers

Demonstrated ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, demanding work environment

Ability to create creative and scrappy solutions to evaluate material problems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Able to work longer hours and weekends to support critical needs

Willingness to travel as needed COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $ - $Level 2: $ - $Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package  may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as…