Thermal Development Technician, Heat Shield (Starship) - Multiple Shifts

SpaceX • Cape Canaveral, FL

8d

About The Position

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s toughest problems by developing the heat shields for our next-generation rockets and spacecraft. This hardware must survive the most extreme environments known to mankind and protect our vehicle through atmospheric entry. As a technician on the TPS team, you will thrive in a hands-on environment and will spend time in the office, on the factory floor, and in the lab to execute on the SpaceX mission.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 1+ year(s) of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral
• Ability to work one of the following shifts:
• Day shift: 6:00am - 6:00pm alternating week schedule (3 days on 4 days off then 4 days on 3 days off rotating)
• Night shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am alternating week schedule (3 days on 4 days off then 4 days on 3 days off rotating)
• Flexibility in work schedule, supporting all shifts/overtime as necessary, to support business needs
• Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respirator
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Willing to travel to other sites to support critical business needs
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience setting up assemblies and parts in various types of processing and curing equipment such as an ovens and high temperature kilns to obtain desired set and cure
• Experience with composite tooling materials
• Skilled in mechanical testing (mainly Instron)
• Proficient/experienced to accurately measure and mix using scales, beakers and various monitoring probes for the process of tile coatings, sealants and RTV applications
• Comfortable working with solvents, ceramic precursors, inorganic acids and bases
• Experience with thermal protection system (TPS) or phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA)
• Experience applying sealants, alodine, primer, adhesives, and special finishes
• Good understanding of basic mathematical concepts
• Fluent in the Office platform (Microsoft Word, and Excel)

Responsibilities

• Preprocess and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders required for the fabrication of next-tier products
• Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
• Prepare basic laminate fabrication, surface preparation, and vacuum bagging; check seals on completed bagged parts for leaks, and perform vacuum bag processing, bonding, and oven curing
• Document processes precisely to be able to replicate each step taken in the material processing
• Perform product inspection and rework as required
• Read and interpret engineering drawings with an understanding of drawing symbols, flag notes, and general notes
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of production machinery

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees