Automation & Controls Engineer - Orbital AI Compute

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

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.