Thermal Development Technician (Starship) - Temporary Verified today
Thermal Development Technician (Starship) - Temporary
The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team develops the heat shields for next-generation rockets and spacecraft. This hardware must survive extreme environments and protect vehicles through atmospheric entry. As a technician, you will work hands-on in the office, factory floor, and lab to execute the mission of bringing crewed spaceflight capability back to the United States.
What you will do
- Preprocess and manufacture ceramic fibers, filaments, and powders for thermal protection system fabrication
- Fabricate ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other TPS components
- Perform basic fabrication, surface preparation, bonding, and oven curing
- Document processes precisely to replicate each step in material processing
- Perform product inspection and rework as required
- Read and interpret engineering drawings with understanding of symbols, flag notes, and general notes
- Assist in maintenance and repair of production machinery
Position Details
- Length: 3 months (permanent hire conversion possible based on performance and business need)
- Location: Starbase, TX
- Shifts available: Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. or Monday-Friday 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Basic Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- Experience with hand tools or hand-held power tools
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Precision measuring instruments (calipers, height gauge, depth mic)
- Personnel platform operation (boom lifts, scissor lifts)
- Setup and operation of ovens and high temperature kilns for processing and curing
- Accurate measurement and mixing with scales for coatings, sealants, and RTV applications
- Working with solvents, ceramic precursors, inorganic acids and bases
- Thermal protection system (TPS) or phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) experience
- Application of sealants, alodine, primer, adhesives, and special finishes
- Basic mathematical concepts
- Microsoft Word and Excel proficiency
- Kuka or 6-axis robot operation and maintenance
- Simatic or other HMI operation
- Stud arc welding basics
- Robotic automation understanding
- Programmable Logic Control (PLC) experience in automation
Physical Requirements
- Valid driver's license required
- Sit: up to 1 hour per day
- Push/Pull: up to 50 lbs unassisted, 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
- Overhead reach: up to 6 hours per day
- Walk: up to 6 hours per day
- Lift/Carry: up to 25 lbs unassisted, 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
- Climb (ladder/stairs): up to 6 hours per day
- Kneel/Crouch: up to 6 hours per day
- Upper body twist: up to 6 hours per day
- Work in temperatures over 80 degrees: up to 1 hour per day
- Capable of safely working at heights (up to 500 feet), using an air purifying respirator, and performing all physical job requirements
- May be required to complete pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical, including medical history review
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be: (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (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 required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.