Thermal Development Technician, Robotic Welding (Starship) - Level 4/5

THERMAL DEVELOPMENT TECHNICIAN, ROBOTIC WELDING (STARSHIP) – LEVEL 4/5

The Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) team tackles space exploration’s most challenging problems, owning the development and integration of the heat shield for our next-generation spacecraft, Starship. This hardware must survive the most extreme environments known to mankind and protect our vehicle through atmospheric reentry. As a technician on the TPS team, you will primarily be responsible for maintaining, programming, and operating robotic and automated systems while supporting heat shield manufacturing and integration.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide maintenance on various equipment: vacuum chambers, thermal chambers, CNC machines, and robotic welders
• Maintain, repair, and operate all robotic assets to ensure their proper operating condition
• Replace and install electrical components such as switches, relays, contactors, transformers, rectifiers, circuit breakers, fuses, and sensors for temperature/pressure/position
• Replace and install mechanical components such as bearings, bushings, motors, shafts, collars, couplings, pulleys, belts, gears, chains, rollers, pumps, valves, hoses, and o-rings on a variety of system equipment
• Support the fabrication of ceramic refractory billets, ceramic tiles, thermal gap fillers, coatings, and other components required for a robust thermal protection system
• Support basic fabrication, surface preparation, bonding, and oven curing operations
• Document processes precisely to be able to replicate each step taken in the material processing
• Perform hardware inspection and rework as required

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of experience working with robotic or automated systems
• 3+ years of experience as a technician

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience operating and maintaining Kuka, Fanuc, or other 6 –axis robots
• Experience working with PLC programming, robotics, and CNC machines
• Basic understanding of stud arc welding
• 3+ years of experience with electrical system troubleshooting
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
• Ability to describe and navigate through a machine’s functions, root cause recurrent issues, and identify the cross-referenced parts needed for repairs
• 5+ years of experience as a technician
• Experience within the aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, or electronic manufacturing fields
• Experience with hand/power tools, forklifts, and other heavy equipment

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work one of the following shifts:
• Monday- Friday (6:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
• Monday -Friday (6:00 p.m. – 6:30 a.m.)
• Ability to work at elevated heights (10’ to 185’+)
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain, wind)
• Ability to wear and obtain certification in the wearing of an air respirator
• Willing to work overtime when necessary
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs unassisted
• Standing for long periods of time, climbing up and down ladders, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, and stretching are generally required to perform the functions of this position
• Hold or be willing to obtain a valid Driver's License