Automation & Controls Engineer (Starship Launch Pad)

SpaceX; Florida; On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Cape Canaveral, FL is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer (Starship Launch Pad) to design and build the controls infrastructure for ground support equipment and launch/test infrastructure.

You will apply electrical and mechanical systems knowledge to transfer real-time sensor data to operators, support control hardware, and improve reliability while operating in challenging environments to enable safe, economical access to space.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering or technical discipline.
• 1+ year experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and build the controls infrastructure to support the various types of ground support equipment required to test and launch the Starship Launch Vehicle.
• Maintain the operational capability of all control voltage levels (<60V) electrical systems once activated.
• Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems across Launch infrastructure.
• Create new automation systems as needed to support the evolving needs of the launch and test infrastructure.
• Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
• Develop new hardware and processes to improve capabilities, reduce cost, and setup time of electrical systems.
• Analyze data to assess the function and health of electrical systems.
• Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles.

Skills

Data acquisition

Control hardware

Electrical design

Programming

Industrial networking

PCB design

Hazardous areas

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics or electrical/computer engineering

Tools

Modbus

Profinet

EtherNet/IP

Job description

Automation & Controls Engineer (Starship Launch Pad)

Cape Canaveral, FL

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 & CONTROLS ENGINEER (STARSHIP LAUNCH PAD)

This engineer is a systems-focused, automation-driven, multi-faceted individual. The engineer uses electrical and mechanical systems knowledge to primarily inform the design of launch infrastructure for the Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX control engineers develop and integrate physical hardware, including wire harnesses, PCBs, custom enclosures, PLCs, data acquisition systems, avionics systems, engine controllers, and various sensors. The engineer is responsible for the transference of real-time data from these physical sensors to the pad operators, the responsible engineer, or the customer. Excellent operational support and accurate interpretation of data collected from these test systems are paramount. These critical automation & control systems support operations that enable safe, economical, and reliable access to space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and build the controls infrastructure to support the various types of ground support equipment required to test and launch the Starship Launch Vehicle.
• Maintain the operational capability of all control voltage levels (<60V) electrical systems once activated.
• Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems across Launch infrastructure.
• Create new automation systems as needed to support the evolving needs of the launch and test infrastructure.
• Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
• Develop new hardware and processes to improve capabilities, reduce cost, and setup time of electrical systems.
• Analyze data to assess the function and health of electrical systems.
• Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering or technical discipline.
• 1+ year experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot data acquisition and control hardware.
• Fundamental understanding of engineering principles behind electronic equipment, instrumentation, and commonly used industrial equipment.
• Experience designing and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (NFPA 70 Section 500 installations); class 1, division 1 and division 2 environments or IEC equivalence.
• Familiarity with mixed signal electronics, power supply design, analog filtering; testing and troubleshooting techniques, signal integrity, layout and grounding principles.
• General schematic capture and printed circuit board (PCB) design and/or verification and validation experience.
• Experience with electrical power distribution, working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E.
• First-hand experience with programming and software development.
• Experience with industrial bus protocols such as Modbus,Profinet and EtherNet/IP.
• Hands-on experience activating, building, and troubleshooting analog & digital electronic systems, including avionics.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed as part of a high-functioning team.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings.
• Ability to perform physical tasks such as climbing up and down stairs and/or ladders regularly throughout the day.
• Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed as part of a high-functioning team.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices.
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, flashing lights, heat, cold, rain, and noise.
• Ability to travel to other SpaceX or 3rd party facilities (up to 25%).
• 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] .

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.