Automation & Controls Specialist — Starship Systems

United States Digital Space LLC; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist (Starship) to lead automation projects and support the Starship program. You will own hardware commissioning, data acquisition, and PLC/HMI programming while coordinating with engineers, technicians, and external contractors.

The role emphasizes reliability improvements, on-site work, and cross-team collaboration to enable safe and efficient space hardware development.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency.
• 1+ years of experience in a controls technician or specialist role.

Responsibilities

• Own and hands-on execute industrial automation projects in collaboration with Engineers, specialists, and Technicians.
• Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems.
• Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
• Lead technicians and/or contractors efficiently.
• Commission new hardware.
• Actively perform continuous improvements for team processes, quality, faster build times, lower maintenance needs, project kitting, streamlined communication between teams, and feedback loops.
• Perform daily task prioritization including risk mitigation on current and upcoming projects.
• Draft and redline drawings in Electrical and Fluids Schematics.
• Be a liaison between Tooling Engineering and Automation & Controls for controls hardware mounting and cable management.
• Program PLCs and HMIs according to engineering design.
• Analyze data to assess the function of electrical systems.
• Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles.
• Perform other related duties to ensure an efficient and effective work environment.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

HMI programming

Data acquisition

Electrical wiring

Electrical schematics

PID control

NFPA codes

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma

Job description

United States Digital Space LLC is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist (Starship) to lead automation projects and support the Starship program. You will own hardware commissioning, data acquisition, and PLC/HMI programming while coordinating with engineers, technicians, and external contractors.

The role emphasizes reliability improvements, on-site work, and cross-team collaboration to enable safe and efficient space hardware development.