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Sr. Materials Engineer, Blades and Vanes R&D

SpaceX· Materials Engineering - Core
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Bastrop, TXfull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Senior materials engineer focused on SX/DS/EQ cast components for Ni-based superalloy blades and vanes used in gas turbine power generation, supporting SpaceX’s high-volume production and advancing casting processes, material characterization, and component performance.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct applied research on single crystal (SX), directionally solidified (DS), and equiaxed (EQ) cast components for gas turbines, focusing on the relationship between casting processes, material properties, and component performance.
  • Investigate casting processes and process parameters to improve material quality, reliability, and manufacturability. These processes include core manufacturing, wax pattern manufacturing, shelling, solidification, core leaching, heat treat, HIP, machining, and coating methods
  • Design and conduct experiments to evaluate casting processes, identify defects, and assess potential process improvements
  • Analyze cast component failures arising during manufacturing or service, collaborating with design and process engineers to investigate underlying causes
  • Conduct root cause investigations using fractography, metallography, and materials characterization techniques
  • Evaluate material selection, material forms, tooling approaches, and material and process specifications to inform component design
  • Develop and execute experimental test plans to characterize material properties and evaluate the performance of castings and foundry processes
  • Collaborate with engineering teams, technicians, and external technical partners to exchange research findings and evaluate their practical application
  • Document experimental methods, analyze results, and present recommendations to improve component performance, efficiency, durability, and manufacturability

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in material science, materials engineering, weld engineering, metallurgical engineering, or other engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of professional experience working in metal casting technologies

Skills

Required:Materials engineeringCasting process development
Nice to have:Metallography and materials characterization
Last updated Sep 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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