Automation and Controls Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer for the Starmind program in Bastrop, TX to own the manufacturing line for onboard AI compute hardware, power systems, and related control systems.

You will design, develop, and test automation projects, write PLC code, ensure safety compliance, and collaborate with hardware teams to enable high-volume production of space-grade electronics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation or in a project team designing electro-mechanical/robotic systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects for high‑volume manufacturing.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with organized, maintainable structure.
• Ensure safety by complying with ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA for robots, gantries, conveyors, etc.
• Create simple, intuitive HMI screens for complex machines.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A.
• Create schedules and budgets and lead the team to meet them.

Skills

PLC programming

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Electrical schematics

HMI/SCADA

Industrial electrical systems

Safety standards

Circuit design

Robot integration

EtherCAT

Profinet

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science

Tools

EPLAN

Oscilloscopes

Multimeters

EMI probes

SCADA software

Job description

Automation and Controls Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

Bastrop, TX

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.

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLSENGINEER,AI SATELLITES(STARMIND)

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance electrical compute hardware, solar power systems, thermal radiators, and more. These systems must operate in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

The Starmind team designs, builds, and operates the orbital compute fabric of the future. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house – from the satellites’ flight computers and power systems to the fully custom compute electronics, memory, and networking that form the brain of our on-orbit data centers. As an Automation Engineer on the Starmind team, you’ll have ownership over the entire manufacturing line for the hardware that enables advanced on-orbit AI processing and data center workloads. Your work spans the assembly, integration, and testing of industry-leading compute electronics, memory, and networking in order to achieve required domain sizes and processing workloads.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications
• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand,operate, and troubleshoot
• Design electrical systems complianttoNEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation or involvement with a project team designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated systems or products

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe
• Experience with electromechanical systems
• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFD’s, motor starters, various other motion systems
• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using both safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes
• Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication
• Hands‑on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro‑mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards
• PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text programming
• Programming and implementing machine safety software through the use of safety PLC’s
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus on user friendly navigation and machine health monitoring and control
• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferably EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Robotics programming, preferably ABB
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here .

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affidavit Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].

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