Automation & Controls Engineer, AI Satellites

Spacex; Bastrop (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer for the Starmind program in Bastrop, TX. You will own the manufacturing line for onboard compute electronics, memory, and networking, from design through testing to deployment.

Collaborate on ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant safety systems, PLC programming, HMI design, and electrical schematics, supporting high-volume aerospace manufacturing. This role requires strong attention to safety and reliability in a demanding environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science.
• Experience with industrial/factory automation design and implementation.
• Ability to develop maintainable, safe automation systems for high-volume manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects from concept to hand-off.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with structured, reusable approaches.
• Ensure safety and compliance with ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA for robots and conveyors.
• Create intuitive HMI screens and robust electrical schematics.
• Develop electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, UL508A.
• Plan schedules and budgets and lead the team to meet milestones.

Skills

Automation design

PLC programming

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Electrical panels

HMI development

Safety systems

EPLAN

Industrial networking

Robotics

Electrical schematics

Education

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

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EPLAN

EtherCAT

Profinet

HMI software

SCADA

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLSENGINEER,AI SATELLITES(STARMIND)

SpaceX isleveragingits experience deploying andoperatingthe world’s largest satellite constellation to developStarmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demandshighly reliable,high performanceelectricalcomputehardware, solar power systems, thermal radiators, and more. These systems mustoperatein 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 inan engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation or i nvolvement with a project team designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated systems or products

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to engineer creative,new approachesto 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
• Proficiencyin understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioninghigh qualityelectrical panels and electro-mechanical systems withappropriate safetyconsiderations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards
• PLC programming, preferably BeckhoffTwinCATstructured text programming
• Programming and implementing machine safety softwarethrough the use ofsafety PLC’s
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus onuser friendlynavigation and machine health monitoring and control
• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferablyEtherCAT,Profinet,Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Robotics programming, preferably ABB
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safelycheckoutthese 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 Affirmative 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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To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITARhere.

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