Automation & Controls Specialist, Infrastructure & Utility (Starship) - Level 4/5

Spacex; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist (Starship) at the Starbase facility. You will design, deploy, and manage automation projects, coordinating with design engineers to meet production goals and safety standards.

The role involves PLC/HMI/SCADA development, electrical schematics, and panel fabrication in a high-reliability environment. Ideal candidates have 5+ years in high-volume manufacturing, robotics troubleshooting, and CAD experience with EPLAN.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining automation and controls systems.
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 5+ years manufacturing experience in high-volume environments is preferred.
• 2+ years troubleshooting and programming 6-axis and Cartesian robots.
• Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPLAN.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL508A codes.
• Proficient in Excel, Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, deploy, and manage automation and controls projects end-to-end.
• Define and bound project criteria with design engineers.
• Design and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA in a high-reliability production setting.
• Create and modify electrical and pneumatic schematics (EPLAN, schematics).
• Layout new industrial control panels compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A.
• Produce clear written and visual instructions from drawings and docs.
• Audit manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies and safety improvements.
• Develop SOWs and manage contractor work to support production pace.
• Utilize JIRA for weekly task planning.

Skills

Automation & controls

Robotics troubleshooting

Electrical schematic CAD

C#, .NET, Python, SQL

PLC programming

HMI and SCADA programming

Field bus networks

Electrical control panels

NEC/NFPA79/UL508A knowledge

Electrical troubleshooting

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

EPLAN

JIRA

Excel

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

AUTOMATION & CONTROLS SPECIALIST (STARSHIP) - LEVEL 4/5

Starship is the largest and most capable space launch system ever developed. With the capability to deliver in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth’s orbit, it will fundamentally change access to space, and is the technology that will be used to establish a self-sustaining city on Mars. We will ultimately need thousands of Starships to accomplish that feat.

The production fluids team is focused on the design and deployment of critical manufacturing and test infrastructure to manufacture & validate vehicle systems prior to flight, enabling high-rate manufacturing. We are looking for enthusiastic and creative individuals to merge rigorous aerospace design with highly reliability industrial fluid systems. As a process specialist, you will be responsible for developing the foundational processes our team requires.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, deploy, and manage ground-up automation and controls projects including initial trades, commissioning, hand-off, and training
• Deep drive process and project specifications for deliverables with design engineers (internal & external) to bound project criteria
• Design and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications in a high-reliability production environment
• Design, redline, modify and correct electrical and pneumatic schematics using a mix of in-house and 3rd party tools (Eplan, schematics, etc.)
• Lay out new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant
• Create and update concise written and visual instructions from design review, technical drawings, and requirement documentation
• Audit manufacturing process - assessing process inefficiencies, safety improvements, and potential optimizations through the implementation of automation
• Develop SOW’s, bargain, trade, and release contractor work to enable the in-house build team to keep pace with production needs
• Proactively utilize JIRA to plan out & complete weekly scheduled tasks

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 3+ years of hands‑on experience installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining automation and controls systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience in a high-volume production environment
• 2+ years of experience troubleshooting and programming 6-axis and Cartesian robots
• Electrical schematic CAD experience using Eplan
• C#, .NET, python and/or SQL experience
• PLC programming experience
• 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, UL508A codes
• Experience in independently troubleshooting advanced electrical circuits, electronic systems, motors & starters, electrically operated equipment and making successful repairs and modifications
• Proficient in excel, office, and word

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Perform hands‑on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights
• Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support launch operations
• Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE
• Lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted
• Provide 24/7 on‑call support for emergencies

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 or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].