Automation & Controls Engineer (Raptor Manufacturing Systems)

SpaceX; 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

SpaceX is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to support 3D additive printers for Raptor manufacturing. You’ll be responsible for designing and managing automation projects and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree, at least 1 year of industrial automation experience, and excellent communication skills. Compensation ranges from $100,000 to $135,000 annually, with benefits including medical coverage and stock options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science or STEM discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects.
• Develop training programs for technicians and engineers.
• Write and debug PLC code for high-volume manufacturing.

Skills

PLC programming

Industrial automation design

Electrical systems troubleshooting

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science or STEM discipline

Tools

EPLAN

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Job description

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 & CONTROLS ENGINEER (RAPTOR MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS)

As an Automation & Controls Engineer for 3D additive printers supporting Raptor, you will be directly responsible for the design, integration, wiring, and commissioning of safety logic and motion-controlled systems. As a member of this team, you will play a critical role in delivering these advanced printers at the scale required to meet Starship’s production rate goals and enable humans to reach the Moon, Mars, & beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial design ideation, machine commissioning and proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams
• Develop training programs for technicians and engineers
• 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
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics, and electrical components issues on an aggressive production schedule.
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science or STEM discipline
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and commissioning

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation stages
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, 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 two 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.

Electrical

• 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 (EPLAN preferred)
• Familiar with Fieldbus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication preferably Modbus TCP, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Hands‑on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro‑mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, IEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards

Electronics

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics and electrical component issues on aggressive production schedules, with a track record of driving design or process improvements to prevent recurrence
• Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
• Experience designing analog, digital, and mixed‑signal circuits
• Experience with analog signal chains, signal conditioning circuits, or hardware filter design
• Experience with Ethernet, network switches, microcontrollers, FPGAs, memory devices, or general networking concepts
• Experience with digital signal processing, analog control loops, or control loop stability analysis
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout software (KiCad, Altium Designer, Eagle, or Xpedition)
• Experience with electrical simulation tools (LTspice, SIMetrix, or similar)
• Familiarity with best practices for low‑noise design and EMI/EMC mitigation in PCB layouts

Industrial Software

• Experience with PLC programming, preferably using Schneider Electric Machine Expert
• Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), preferably Schneider Electric Altivar
• Experience programming and implementing machine safety software and safety systems
• Experience developing SCADA systems using Inductive Automation Ignition and IoT solutions with MQTT and OPC‑UA, with a focus on intuitive user interfaces and machine health monitoring
• Experience integrating industrial software with mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics, and hydraulics, including performing safe system checkout and validation prior to production implementation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

Automation & Controls Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Automation & Controls Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and 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, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also 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 which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• 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].