Materials R&D Technician

In this role as a Materials R&D Technician, you will focus on daily lab operations to support materials and process development, failure investigations, process control validation, and more—for Starlink user terminals, gateways, printed circuit boards, panel-level packaging, and solar products. Hands-on laboratory experience is required. A basic understanding of materials science fundamentals is preferred. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment. Success in this role requires being hands-on, flexible, a quick learner, organized, detail-oriented, and having a collaborative, results-oriented attitude.

• →Maintain safe and efficient operations by enforcing proper workflow, safety, cleanliness, organization, and inventory control of lab consumables.
• →Support maintenance and calibration needs of lab instrumentation.
• →Ensure proper and consistent sample preparation and traceability for materials testing.
• →Calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate thermoanalytical equipment (DSC, DMA, TGA, TMA); microscopy tools (FTIR, Raman, SEM/EDS); RF equipment (VNAs, dielectric testers); optical spectroscopy equipment (spectrophotometers, ellipsometers, photoluminescence) and mechanical test frames. 
• →Prepare reports on generated materials test data. Provide basic interpretations of results to requesters and flag off-nominal results for engineering review.
• →Summarize data and document results in an organized and thorough manner. 
• →Develop, author, and implement standard operating procedures.
• →Manage lab backlog and ensure requests are performed according to program priorities.
• →Champion larger-scale lab improvement initiatives while completing day-to-day test requests.
• →Promote 5S principles for organizing and sustaining a clean, tidy workspace.
• →Properly use and maintain precision-calibrated tools, such as micrometers and calipers, to ensure accurate measurements.
• →Familiarize yourself with relevant ASTM, ISO, and IPC standards.

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 1+ years of materials testing experience in a laboratory environment.

• Associate degree in an applied science field or 2+ years of professional experience in a lab environment.
• Knowledge of safe work practices in environments involving furnaces, environmental chambers, saws, solvents, acids/bases, etc.
• Understanding of basic materials science fundamentals.
• Experience setting up and running tests and experiments.
• Positive attitude and experience working on cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail when executing test instructions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Atlassian JIRA, and work order systems.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills to collaborate closely with engineering teams.
• Strong organizational skills to keep work areas tidy and manage workflow.
• Creative approach to problem-solving, with a willingness to learn and try new things.
• Experience using various hand tools and/or power tools.

• Able to work off-shifts and available for overtime and weekends if needed. 
• Able to wear appropriate PPE for lab and machine shop environment.
• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Lifting, standing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying 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. 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.