Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

3 weeks of paid vacation

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer in Hawthorne, CA to design and implement advanced automated solutions for manufacturing facilities. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in engineering and experience in automation systems. The successful candidate will manage electrical systems, deploy automation into production, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Competitive salary range is $100,000 to $135,000, with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of professional experience in industrial applications.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A codes.
• Exposure to production machinery and industrial sensors.

Responsibilities

• Design control panels compliant with NFPA standards.
• Simulate processes for design viability.
• Manage electrical systems and component selection.
• Deploy automated equipment into production.

Skills

Design and commissioning of automation systems

PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal)

Field bus networks

Excellent communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

Tools

EPlan

ABB RobotStudio

Siemens Process Simulate

Job description

Hawthorne, CA

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is 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 & CONTROLS ENGINEER (FACILITIES)

As a member of the critical infrastructure team, you will design, build, and activate some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. As an automation & controls engineer, you will develop and build a variety of automated solutions to aid in rapid R&D, production, and critical asset management. The automation & control team designs, builds, and commissions complete control systems from the ground up. We are looking for talent with an amazing track record in developing, troubleshooting, and maintaining control systems for production and critical infrastructure. This position is based in Hawthorne, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead‑time limits.
• Lay out new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA 79/NEC/UL 508A compliant, and create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics.
• Simulate processes to inform design engineers of the conceptual viability of automation proposals (tools include ABB RobotStudio, Kuka Sim, and Siemens Process Simulate).
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for manufacturing applications.
• Generate aesthetically simple screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting.
• Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic, and fluid plumbing.
• Select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers.
• Deploy automated processes and equipment into production.
• Set, implement, and maintain schedules and budgets to ensure project completion.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of professional experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Knowledge in building automation systems for critical infrastructure.
• Mechanical (HVAC) controls and wiring, Delta controls.
• Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience.
• Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan.
• C#, .NET, Python and/or SQL experience.
• PLC programming experience, preferably Siemens TIA Portal and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3.
• HMI and SCADA programming experience.
• Field bus networks, serial communication and Ethernet communication.
• Hands‑on experience building and commissioning high‑quality electrical control panels and electro‑mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A codes.
• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (vision systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors & Nut‑Runners, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Experience in fast‑paced iterative design and manufacturing environments.
• Experience solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
• Must be willing to travel to other locations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Automation & Controls Engineer – Level I: $100,000 – $115,000 per year.

Automation & Controls Engineer – Level II: $110,000 – $135,000 per year.

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the job‑related knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives (company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards), discretionary bonuses, and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; short‑ and long‑term disability insurance; life insurance; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. You may accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to company policy that satisfies or exceeds the law.

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee, or asylum seeker, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR.

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].