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Thermal Development Technician, Robotic Welding (Starship) Verified today

SpaceX · Starbase, TX · Mechanical · first seen 2026-09-08
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Thermal Development Technician, Robotic Welding (Starship)

The Thermal Protection Systems team develops the heat shield for Starship, SpaceX's next-generation spacecraft. This hardware must survive extreme reentry conditions. As a technician, you will maintain, program, and operate robotic and automated systems while supporting heat shield manufacturing and integration.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain equipment: vacuum chambers, thermal chambers, CNC machines, and robotic welders
  • Maintain, repair, and operate robotic assets to ensure proper operating condition
  • Replace and install electrical components: switches, relays, contactors, transformers, rectifiers, circuit breakers, fuses, and temperature/pressure/position sensors
  • Replace and install mechanical components: bearings, bushings, motors, shafts, collars, couplings, pulleys, belts, gears, chains, rollers, pumps, valves, hoses, and o-rings
  • Support fabrication of ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other thermal protection components
  • Support fabrication, surface preparation, bonding, and oven curing operations
  • Document processes precisely to enable replication of each manufacturing step
  • Perform hardware inspection and rework as required

Basic Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalency certificate
  • Experience with hand tools or hand-held power tools

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Experience operating and maintaining Kuka, Fanuc, or other 6-axis robots
  • PLC programming, robotics, and CNC machine experience
  • Basic understanding of stud arc welding
  • 3+ years electrical system troubleshooting
  • Ability to read electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
  • Ability to navigate machine functions, root cause issues, and identify cross-referenced parts for repairs
  • 3+ years experience as a technician
  • Aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, or electronic manufacturing experience
  • Hand/power tools, forklift, and heavy equipment experience

Additional Requirements

  • Work one of two shifts: Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. or Monday-Friday 6:00 p.m.-6:30 a.m.
  • Willing to work overtime when necessary
  • Hold or obtain a valid driver's license
  • Capable of standing up to 10 hours per day, walking up to 6 hours per day, overhead reaching up to 6 hours per day, climbing ladders/stairs up to 6 hours per day, kneeling/crouching up to 6 hours per day, and upper body twisting up to 6 hours per day
  • Capable of pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs unassisted for 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
  • Capable of lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs unassisted for 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
  • Capable of working in temperatures over 80 degrees for up to 1 hour per day
  • Capable of safely working at heights up to 500 ft, using an air purifying respirator, and performing all physical requirements of the job
  • May be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities

ITAR Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.