Materials Engineer, Polymer Development

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMER DEVELOPMENT The Polymer Development Materials Engineer will participate in/lead the end-to-end development of advanced polymeric materials. In this role you will develop new material solutions such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, thermal protection materials, and emulsions for use across SpaceX’s hardware programs. You will partner closely with customers to define design criteria and performance requirements, drive formulation and process development, coordinate testing with materials laboratories, collaborate with engineering teams on implementation, and work with production teams to successfully scale materials into manufacturing. This position requires strong technical ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to deliver high-performance materials that meet demanding programmatic needs. RESPONSIBILITIES: Partner with engineers to define material requirements, translate design criteria into technical targets, and provide clear progress updates Own technical decision-making throughout the development process, selecting and refining pathways that deliver materials meeting or exceeding design requirements Investigate and resolve material failures or unexpected results, turning issues into actionable learnings that accelerate project progress Act as a technical expert and project owner for polymeric material development efforts Guide and mentor project specialists and technicians in executing formulation, testing, and process development work Collaborate closely with engineering and production teams to ensure new materials are successfully integrated into production work centers Lead the iterative development cycle by designing efficient