EngineeringNot provided by source

Thermal Development Technician (Starship)

SpaceX · Not provided by source

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Last seen by MeritLog September 12, 2026Source: GreenhouseSource version: greenhouse-job-board-v1

MeritLog read this listing from SpaceX's Greenhouse job board and last checked it on September 12, 2026.

Source: the employer's Greenhouse job board. Open the original listing for current details.

Job details

Work model: Not provided by source
Salary: Not listed by source
Location: Cape Canaveral, FL

Hiring context

How this role compares at SpaceX

SpaceX has 2,405 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 11 job families, and 1,441 of them are in engineering. 198 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 8%.

SpaceX concentrates this hiring in:

Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.

What the role asks for

What you'd do

Process 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 they're asking for

High school diploma or equivalency certificateEducation
1+ year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operationsExperience
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 cureSkillPreferred
Experience with composite tooling materialsSkillPreferred
Skilled in mechanical testing (mainly Instron)SkillPreferred
Proficient/experienced to accurately measure and mix using scales, beakers and various monitoring probes for the process of tile coatings, sealants and RTV applicationsSkillPreferred
Comfortable working with solvents, ceramic precursors, inorganic acids and basesSkillPreferred
Experience with thermal protection system (TPS) or phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA)SkillPreferred
Experience applying sealants, alodine, primer, adhesives, and special finishesSkillPreferred
Good understanding of basic mathematical conceptsSkillPreferred
Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape CanaveralSkillPreferred
Ability to work one of the following shifts:SkillPreferred
Day shift: 6:00am - 6:00pm Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - SaturdaySkillPreferred
Night shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - SaturdaySkillPreferred
Flexibility in work schedule, supporting all shifts/overtime as necessary, to support business needsSkillPreferred
Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respiratorCredentialPreferred
Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. unassistedSkillPreferred
Willing to travel to other sites to support critical business needs (up to 10% of the time)SkillPreferred
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 positionSkillPreferred
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.SkillPreferred

Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.

Job description

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. THERMAL DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN, HEAT SHIELD (STARSHIP) - MULTIPLE SHIFTS The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s toughest problems by developing and producing 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. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Process 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 BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • High school diploma or equivalency certificate • 1+ year of experience with production or manufacturing assembly or industrial operations PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • 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 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral • Ability to work one of the following shifts: • Day shift: 6:00am - 6:00pm Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday • Night shift: 6:00pm - 6:00am Sunday - Wednesday or Wednesday - Saturday • 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 (up to 10% of the time) • 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 ITAR REQUIREMENTS: • 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.

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