Automation & Controls Specialist, Launch Pad (Starship)

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist, Launch Pad (Starship) to bridge engineering design with field execution. You will create work instructions, troubleshoot electrical and control systems, and support erection of panels for Starship launch infrastructure.

This role involves hands-on fabrication, testing, and clear collaboration with engineers and technicians in a fast-paced spaceflight environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of professional experience with electrical or data acquisition systems.
• 2+ years designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems (university or trade school qualifies).
• Proficiency reading planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints and sketches.
• Ability to install and use instrumentation including strain gauges, transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers and analog circuitry.
• Ability to fabricate and repair cable harnesses including soldering, crimping and connectors.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a high-paced, challenging work environment.
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules.

Responsibilities

• Create work instructions for integration of electrical and controls systems and related structures.
• Identify and upscale tricky designs that lead to manufacturing difficulties and propose solutions.
• Provide production support: rapidly disposition issue tickets and work with engineers to define requirements.
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls systems.
• Select, modify, and maintain equipment for tests and fabrication projects.
• Onboard new machinery or equipment to increase build efficiency.
• Document build processes.
• Pursue initiatives to streamline from design to field hardware, including supply chain and testing plans.

Skills

Electrical systems

Data acquisition

Control systems design

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Job description

Automation & Controls Specialist, Launch Pad (Starship)

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 SPECIALIST, LAUNCH PAD (STARSHIP)

The Starship Tower & Launch Mount team is looking for controls build specialists to help bring the next generation of launch pads to life. This role bridges the gap between detailed design and activations by developing plans for installing conveyances and pulling cables, building a healthy supply chain of commonly used parts, assisting in the field as needed, and feeding lessons learned from the build back to the design team. The systems the group is developing are intended to interface with the next generation of Starship vehicles, catch both stages, and enable a rapid, automated flight cadence that requires no manual actions between launches.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create work instructions for integration of electrical and controls systems as well as their related secondary structures
• Identify and upscale tricky designs that lead to manufacturing difficulties, and propose solutions for improving the process
• Provide production support: rapidly disposition issue tickets, work with engineers to define requirements and standard repairs
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls systems
• Select, modify, and maintain equipment needed to perform tests and fabrication projects
• Onboard new machinery or equipment to increase the efficiency of builds
• Document build processes
• Pursue initiatives to streamline the process of going from a design to completed hardware in the field including the areas of supply chain, planning generation, communication with technicians, test plans, tooling, checkouts, and data review

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 4+ years of professional experience working with electrical or data acquisition systems
• 2+ years of experience designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems (experience from a university or trade school qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Proficiency in writing and interpreting planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
• Ability to install and use instrumentation including strain gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
• Ability to fabricate and repair cable harnesses including: soldering, crimping, assembling connectors
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
• Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
• Ability to work at elevated heights up to 500 feet
• Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 6 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 10 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 10 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: Up to 3 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
• Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review
• 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 Affir... should reach out to [e-mail] .

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.

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.

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 the 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.