
Website SpaceX
Job Description:
As a polymers engineer within the materials engineering department you will have the opportunity to utilize your knowledge, experience, and creativity to solve difficult material and process challenges at the cutting edge of space technology. You will work on launch vehicles and spacecraft that deliver satellites into earth orbit, ferry humans to and from the international space station, and ultimately extend humanity’s reach beyond the earth and moon.
Job Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the development, test and performance evaluation of polymeric/elastomeric materials used across all SpaceX products (including, but not limited to, structural and non-structural plastics and adhesives, elastomeric seals and gap-filling sealants)
- Collaborate with other engineers, subject matter experts, and technicians to solve complex material and processing challenges on our current and next generation vehicles
- Develop and implement novel material solutions to improve performance and efficiency in high reliability applications
- Engage in root cause failure investigations as a subject matter expert for adhesive/rubber/plastic failure mechanisms
- Support polymer material property development by collaborating with design engineers to establish required design inputs and developing allowables for any gaps identified in the data set
Job Requirements:
- Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with enthusiasm for the team’s spirit of innovation in cutting-edge technology
- Exhibit a diverse knowledge of aerospace quality polymeric and elastomeric materials and their processing
- Knowledge of polymer additives, fillers and reinforcements
- Experience in polymer characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, rheometry, optical microscopy, hardness testers, cross-section sample preparation and mechanical property testing
- Broad understanding of failure modes in polymer materials
- Demonstrated track record of success in a rapidly growing, fast-paced and highly competitive environment
- Experience with technical review of materials processing and a sound understanding of the interaction between process variables and the resulting material performance
- Hands-on experience in a high-intensity production environment
- Personality and drive to execute in a scrappy entrepreneurial environment that operates under tight timelines and aggressive schedules
Qualification & Experience:
- Master’s degree or PhD in materials science, materials engineering, or polymer engineering
- 5+ years of post-graduation work experience (aerospace or spaceflight sectors are preferable)
- Bachelor’s degree in materials science, materials engineering or polymer engineering
- 1+ years of experience with characterizing, testing, and evaluating the performance of plastics, elastomers and/or adhesives
Job Details:
Company: SpaceX
Vacancy Type: Full Time
Job Location: Austin, TX, US
Application Deadline: N/A
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