Build Specialist, Automation & Controls (Starship Launch Pad)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Build Specialist in Automation & Controls for the Starship Launch Pad. The role focuses on bridging design and field activations, planning installation of conveyances, and building a robust parts supply chain.

You will assist in field operations and feed lessons learned back to design teams to enable rapid and automated launches. The position requires hands-on fabrication, wiring, instrumentation, and the ability to operate under high-paced, safety-conscious conditions.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical, fluid, or electrical disciplines.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Create work instructions for integration of electrical and controls systems and related secondary structures.
• Identify and expedite tricky designs that lead to manufacturing difficulties and propose solutions.
• Provide production support: rapid disposition of issue tickets and work with engineers to define requirements and repairs.
• 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.
• Drive initiatives to streamline from design to field hardware, including supply chain, planning, communication with technicians, test plans, tooling, checkouts, and data review.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Soldering iron

Crimping tools

Job description

Build Specialist, Automation & Controls (Starship Launch Pad)

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.

The Starship Tower & Launch Mount team is looking for controls build specialists to help make the next generation of launch pads a reality. This role will be focused on bridging the gap between detailed design and activations – that is, developing planning for installing conveyances and pulling cables, building up a healthy supply chain of commonly used parts, assisting in the field as needed, and feeding back lessons learned from the build 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 and automated flight cadence requiring 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 expedite 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.
• 2+ years of experience in mechanical, fluid, or electrical disciplines.

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 (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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.