Sr. Materials Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

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. SR. MATERIALS ENGINEER, SATELLITES (STARLINK) At SpaceX, we’re leveraging our rocket and spacecraft expertise to deploy Starlink, the world’s largest and most advanced satellite constellation, delivering fast internet to over 10 million users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate the full system — from thousands of satellites to user terminals and software. We’re revolutionizing the launch market through rapid reusability and cutting-edge technology. As a Senior Materials Engineer, you’ll take a hands-on role in developing, implementing, and troubleshooting advanced material systems. You’ll use your expertise, experience, and creativity to solve complex material selection and processing challenges as we scale Starlink for high-volume production. RESPONSIBILITIES: Champion new thermal-optical, inorganic, and organic coating technologies for Starlink satellites from concept through qualification, implementation, and production stabilization; collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, evaluate optical performance, and deploy optimized solutions. Apply deep fundamentals of coating science, optical design, and deposition processes to develop high-performance surfaces for space applications. Lead rigorous space environment testing and reliability validation, including thermal vacuum cycling, atomic oxygen, radiation, UV exposure, and other orbital simulations; iterate designs to ensure long-term durability in harsh space conditions. Solve difficult technical problems of the highest scope and ambiguity; take action on these challenges by applying first principles, removing unnecessary complexity, and identifying innovative solutions through rapidly iterating, learning, and adjusting. Conduct root cause investigations of material-related failures with hands-on laboratory testing of flight hardware and raw material; drive down root cause to first principles mechanisms of material performance that may have influenced system-level results. Provide expert input on material selection and design during hardware design reviews, offering practical recommendations for performance, simplicity, and cost. Perform production process walk-downs to identify opportunities for new materials or process improvements that enhance reliability, rate, and yield. Mentor peers and team members on technical problem solving, decision-making, and exercising good engineering judgment; be a point of escalation for blockers and encourage cross-team collaboration when solving technical challenges. Develop and publish material design allowables that accurately reflect operational loads and space environments. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or an engineering discipline. 5+ years of professional experience in electronic materials, polymers, space survivable coatings, EEE packaging, RF-transparent materials, and/or joining technologies (bonding, welding, brazing, soldering). PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Master's or PhD in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a related technical discipline. Strong expertise in materials for space applications, including coatings, polymers, electronic materials, and joining technologies. Deep understanding of material performance in space environments, including degradation mechanisms and long-term stability. Hands-on experience with material characterization techniques (SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, optical spectroscopy, mechanical testing) and space environment testing. Demonstrated ability to link material/process variables to resulting performance and reliability. Proven track record of