NDE Engineer (Starship)

NDE ENGINEER (STARSHIP)

NDE (Non-Destructive Evaluation) Engineers ensure the structural integrity and reliability of Starship’s primary structure, components, propulsion systems, and subassemblies through innovative inspection technologies. At Starbase, you will utilize advanced NDE techniques, including phased-array ultrasonics, radiography, eddy-current testing, and laser profilometry, to improve manufacturing processes. You will seamlessly integrate these methods with automated systems to enable high-rate production, drive optimizations, and ensure mission success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and deliver advanced nondestructive evaluation inspection solutions
• Design, prototype, and implement nondestructive sensor systems to solve manufacturing quality problems
• Interface with vehicle engineering across all programs to align on inspection requirements and capabilities, feasibility, designing parts for inspectability, inspection method selection, interpretation, and evaluation of data
• Prototype early inspection development and bench-top validation to reduce risk for new technologies
• Interface with vendors, tooling and automation groups to define requirements, manage projects through to delivery
• Support targets and goals such as nondestructive automation initiatives, increased probability of detection, reduced cycle time, right first-time manufacture/assembly, and indication/defect reduction
• Develop technology in emerging nondestructive methodologies
• Support NDE specialists with development, qualification and deployment of new inspection processes (gauge R&R, PODs) including documentation and training
• Be able to present risk/performance analysis and recommendations to cross-functional teams including executives
• Manage priorities and support a host of projects simultaneously
• Define integration test plans for hardware products or software features with integration milestones that align with the program timeline
• Drive cross-functional nondestructive design and analysis discussions with electrical, software, manufacturing, and vehicle design teams
• Develop data collection and analysis pipeline at all stages of the project
• Understand and debug hardware and software interactions during design, launch, and deployment
• Use field data to improve design and performance of NDE systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline or physics
• 1+ years of hands-on technical engineering experience (internship and school projects experience qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Knowledge of a variety of NDE techniques such as ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, digital radiography testing, etc
• Knowledge of statistical modeling, machine learning, and mathematical optimization
• Understanding of hardware and software development and validation process
• Familiarity with JIRA or similar task/feature tracking systems
• Knowledge of automation, including robotics
• Experience with software and automation coding (Labview, Python, C#, SQL)
• Ability to multitask, from developing technologies, project management, and training people throughout the introduction of multiple productive solutions, from inception and R&D to full-volume production
• Experience with problem solving tools and techniques: Practical Problem Solving, 8D etc

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work flexible hours and occasional weekend support as needed 
• Ability to work at elevated heights occasionally (scissor lifts and articulated boom lifts)
• Ability to travel to vendors and other SpaceX sites as needed (up to 25%)