Mechanical Engineer, Heatshield (Starship)

Starship requires a robust Thermal Protection System (TPS) to withstand the extreme heat generated during atmospheric reentry at hypersonic speeds. The thermal hardware team is responsible for the design, analysis, integration, and continuous improvement of Starship's reentry heat shield and structures. As a thermal hardware engineer, you will drive the development of the next-generation heatshield from concept and detailed mechanical design to thermal-structural modeling, qualification testing, production, integration, flight rationale, and post-flight data-driven optimizations. At Starbase, you will have the opportunity to work in an exciting and dynamic environment, dividing your time between the office and the production floor to ensure the delivery of the best-engineered product and ultimately mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, test, and qualify new or refined thermal protection system solutions for our Starship architecture
• Own the outcome and set up the end-to-end solutions to thermal challenges from idea to flying hardware
• Work with production on resolving issues on the floor and on the vehicle with our flight hardware
• Analyze and troubleshoot post-flight conditions on vehicle heatshields to drive vehicle changes and improvements
• Coordinate with analysis, avionics, structures, supply chain, and reliability engineers to drive multidisciplinary projects
• Work with outside vendors, suppliers, and testing resources to bring in new materials, capabilities, or processes

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in material science, mechanical engineering, materials engineering, or aerospace engineering
• 1+ years of engineering experience designing, analyzing, or building mechanical or thermal systems (internship and school projects experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience working on thermal protection systems
• Strong fundamentals in aerothermal heating on reentry vehicles
• Strong fundamentals in the materials and mechanisms by which thermal protection systems operate
• Hands-on experience with hardware that has had to perform in challenging thermal environments such as rockets, reentry vehicles or other extreme temperature applications
• Ability to drive open-ended design and development challenges
• Familiarity and experience with production, installation, qualification, and use of thermal protection system materials
• Experience using Siemens NX, or similar CAD software
• Ability to perform basic thermal or mechanical analysis

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Ability to travel domestically
• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral