Materials Engineer (Materials Laboratory)

SpaceX

Quick summary

Work type
On-site
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Salary
$100,000–$117,500 / yr
Posted
today

Market check

Salary context

Below market

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $162k
This role $109k
$89k most similar roles pay here $205k

This role pays less than 92% of similar roles. Most pay $131,000–$192,625 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $109k versus about $162k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 604 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$155,000 across 440 roles with salary data.

Most-posted roles

View all roles at SpaceX

At a glance

TL;DR · Materials Engineer (Materials Laboratory)

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The Materials Engineer at SpaceX's Materials Laboratory is a senior-level position responsible for ensuring data quality and integrity across various testing segments, including thermal analysis, characterization, chemistry, reliability, mechanical testing, and R&D. This role involves developing engineering controls, training lab personnel, investigating anomalies, and driving process improvements to enhance the laboratory’s capabilities. Key responsibilities include mastering new test equipment, performing failure analyses, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to support critical hardware programs. The ideal candidate has a master's or PhD in materials science, extensive experience in materials testing labs, proficiency with data analysis tools like Python and MATLAB, and hands-on expertise with equipment such as SEM, EDS, XRD, and Gleeble.

Skills

Python MATLAB SEM EDS XRD FTIR spark OES pycnometer tensile/compression/fatigue testers TGA DSC DMA Gleeble ASTM ISO CI/CD

What you'll do

  • Own data quality and integrity across multiple lab segments.
  • Develop and implement engineering controls for accurate, traceable data output.
  • Train lab personnel on fundamental scientific principles and best practices.
  • Lead root cause investigations for anomalous or out-of-specification data.
  • Drive process improvement projects and introduce new testing methods.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor’s degree in materials science or related field and 1+ years of professional experience.
  • Master’s degree or PhD with deep understanding across metals, polymers, ceramics, felts, adhesives, and composites.
  • Experience developing, qualifying, and documenting new laboratory test methods or processes.
  • Strong project management skills for managing multiple concurrent projects with clear schedules.
  • Proficiency in materials testing standards (ASTM, ISO) and statistical data analysis tools.

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