Materials R&D Technician - Night Shift

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 RD TECHNICIAN - NIGHT SHIFT Our elite Starbase team is working on the toughest and most audacious project on our planet; making humanity multi-planetary. This challenge isn’t for everyone – the working conditions can be hard on a desolate beach at the southernmost tip of the state – but hardcore projects require hardcore people. Our vehicles and launch infrastructure are pushing the limits on performance and require us to push the limit on materials. Developing new materials, testing our advanced processes, and creating accurate material allowables are critical to advancing our mission. If you are a high performer, want to immerse yourself in never-before-solved challenges, and are excited to put in the effort to make this goal a reality, we want to hear from you. As a team member you can expect a dynamic role doing what you’re best at. Our team is building high performance flight hardware, a high-volume rocket production line, and a launch system that can rapidly and reliably launch and land our rockets. Your skills will help us operate a world class mechanical and materials test lab to help enable us to iterate, diagnose, and drive our build and launch site into a powerhouse of production and materials innovation. RESPONSIBILITIES: Deliver high-quality results by performing various standardized mechanical tests including tensile, compression, fatigue, and fracture toughness at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures to help support the building and development of SpaceX’s launch vehicles and spacecraft Use mechanical testing software, collect date, and generate data reports Work with engineering to execute non-standard testing to support launch vehicle and spacecraft hardware design and production Test article fabrication (including machining, welding bonding, polishing, fixturing) Prepare samples and execute testing procedures using equipment such as microscopes, sectioning and polishing equipment, SEM/EDS FTIR, and other miscellaneous tools for the characterization of materials and welds Operate machining equipment, mills, routers, lathes, and grinders (preferably CNC program capable) Ensure all test equipment/measurement tool calibration is scheduled and performed Analyze data and report results to engineering teams Maintain a clean and organized work station Run and maintain cure ovens and temperature loggers BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: High school diploma or equivalency certificate 1+ years of experience in one or more of the following: Materials testing Machining Layup, bonding, or assembly of composites Hands-on experience in a laboratory setting Manufacturing/Production PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Experience with manufacturing mechanical test coupons with methods such as milling, electrical discharge machining (EDM), and waterjet Experience using material characterization equipment such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), or metallography tools Understanding of ASTM test methods tensile, fatigue, and fracture toughness testing fundamentals Experience in post test data processing and understanding good vs bad data in results Experience with welding and metal fabrication Experience with Non Destructive Testing/Inspection Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings Knowledge/experience of strain gage installation Understanding of safe work practices in a lab environment with furnaces, saws, solvents, acids/bases and other chemicals Highly organized, collaborative, and able to pivot quickly in a dynamic / fast-paced /cross-functional environment ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Able to work off-shifts and available for overtime and weekends if needed with ... (truncated, view full listing at source)