Automation and Controls Engineer, Gateways (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer, Gateways to lead multi‑disciplinary automation projects for Starlink manufacturing. You will design, implement, and validate automation systems, write PLC code, and ensure safe operation of robotics and conveyors in a fast‑paced, in‑house environment.

You should have a bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/computer science and a track record of hands‑on electrical and controls work, with strong problem solving and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline.
• Experience designing and developing automation projects for high-volume manufacturing.
• Ability to design and commission electrical panels and machine safety systems per NEC/NFPA/UL508A.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects from ideation to hand-off.
• Architect and debug PLC code; create maintainable, structured programs.
• Ensure safety and reliability of robots, gantries, conveyors with OSHA compliant systems.

Skills

Iterative design mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Safety compliance

Team leadership

Education

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

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EPLAN

Siemens NX

Teamcenter

EtherCAT

Profinet

OPC-UA

MQTT

ABB robotics

Job description

Automation and Controls Engineer, Gateways (Starlink)

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLS ENGINEER, GATEWAYS (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best‑in‑class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

One key component of SpaceX’s success so far is our commitment to keeping all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision making, and speedy deliverables. Automation and Controls Engineers at our Bastrop site are hyper‑focused on designing and developing fullfactory solutions for novel technologies that are critical to our mission of connecting the unconnected. As a member of this team, you will lead creative, multi‑disciplinary projects spanning machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring that all come together to form the innovative, high‑rate factories that allow us to deliver internet to those that need it most.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, and 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
• Designelectrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree inan engineering, physics, or computer science discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Excited by a quick and iterativedesignand manufacturing role
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in bothdesignand implementation stages
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make plans and directional recommendations collaboratively and cross-functionally
• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe
• Experience with at least one of the specific disciplines listed below. The ideal candidate is interested in learning at least the fundamentals of the other areas they are not yet strong in

Mechanical:

• Machinedesignwith focus on speed, reliability, maintainability, and safety
• Motion system sizing and implementation (gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection and integration, etc.)
• Fundamental structures hand calculations and ability todesignfor strength and stiffness
• CAD and product lifecycle management programs to generate detaileddesigns and drawing packages utilizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, preferred Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how todesignfor manufacturability
• Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)

Electrical:

• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, various other motion systems
• Designof 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 experiencedesigning 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

Industrial Software:

• PLC programming, preferably BeckhoffTwinCATstructured 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 Aff… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail] .

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.