Lead Materials R&D Technician (Materials Lab - Characterization)

LEAD MATERIALS R&D TECHNICIAN (MATERIALS LAB – CHARACTERIZATION)

This individual will be a key team member focusing on daily lab operations to support material & process developments, failure investigations, process control validation, and more. Hands-on lab experience in an aerospace testing laboratory setting is required along with strong skills in setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in assigning daily work, conducting team training, enforcing safety standards, and complete complex testing as needed. Success in this role will require being hands-on, flexible, a quick learner, organized, detail-oriented, and having a collaborative, can-do attitude.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Daily assignment of work, ensuring proper balancing and bandwidth across the team 
• Directly interface, coordinate, and align with area supervisor on weekly testing goals 
• Conduct training to advance skillset of team members 
• Enforce area safety and organization requirements and standards of work
• Be proactive in auditing the lab for hazards, create safety nets, and follow through in bringing solutions to completions
• Model correct behaviors for taking care of the physical lab space and equipment and enforce this across the team 
• Coordinate calibration and maintenance to minimize tool/test downtime
• Work with Supervisor on the team’s personnel training and development plans  
• Identify and remove blockers that impact daily and weekly testing goals (i.e. stepping in to help, reverse shadowing, providing direct guidance, escalating, etc.) 
• Propose and develop improvement projects (i.e. shop aids, potential process changes, tooling modifications, etc.)  that improve testing efficiency, general safety, data quality, reliability, asset integrity and utilization, etc. 
• Coordinate with internal customers to ensure that work is prioritized appropriately
• Complete personal queue of complex and advanced testing requests as necessary to support customers/team’s workload 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of experience working in an aerospace testing laboratory performing characterization testing with a focus on thermal instrumentation (i.e. DMA, TMA, DSC, TGA, LFA, etc.) 
• Experience scheduling work and coordinating competing priorities
• Experience managing a team, people, or projects 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• Proficient with computers with the ability to use MS Office, shop floor management software (ERP) and related programs
• Familiarity with multiple departments within SpaceX
• Familiarity with ASTM standard testing
• Leadership or mentoring experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Willing to work overtime and weekends as needed
• Able to travel for short trips as needed
• Able to wear appropriate PPE for mechanical testing and machine shop environment
• Able to lift 30 lbs. unassisted
• Standing for long periods of time, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $26.00 - $32.00 + $2.00/hour lead differential
Level 2: $30.00 - $38.00 + $2.00/hour lead differential
Level 3: $35.00 - $44.00 + $2.00/hour lead differential

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.