Controls Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5

Front Door Defense; Starbase (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is looking for a Controls Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5 at Starbase, Texas. The role involves interpreting technical documents, repairing ground hardware, and testing systems in a launch environment.

Applicants should have a high school diploma and at least 5 years in mechanical or electrical roles. Preferred candidates will have experience with instrumentation, power tools, and technical assembly.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as a mechanic, technician, electrician, or construction worker.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics and technical documents.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret planning documents and schematics.
• Adjust and repair faulty components of ground hardware.

Skills

Using power tools

Electronic system assembly

Instrumentation knowledge

System-level troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Associate degree in related field

Tools

Oscilloscope

Multimeter

Job description

Controls Technician (Starship) - Level 4/5

Location: Starbase, Texas, United States

About The Role

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.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret planning documents, schematics, datasheets/manuals, drawings, blueprints, and engineering sketches
• Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of ground hardware, test, and integration equipment
• Fabricate and install parts and systems used in launch environments using hand tools, power tools, and test instruments
• Connect and verify pressure transducers, thermocouples, and other sensors
• Install connectors, connector pins, terminals, and lugs
• Complete necessary wiring of the electrical ground support equipment for ground systems
• Collaborate with launch engineers to troubleshoot failures and issues derived from launch activities
• Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify wiring of electronics racks and junction boxes
• Perform maintenance tasks as required in a variety of roles for vehicle integration, pad maintenance, site preventative maintenance, general facilities, and any other general maintenance work as required to maintain an operational launch site

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 5+ years of experience as a mechanic, technician, electrician, or construction worker

Preferred Skills and Experience

• 3+ years of experience using power tools in a professional capacity
• 1+ years of experience with electronic system assembly and construction
• 3+ years of experience working with any of the following instrumentation: resistance temperature devices (RTDs), thermocouples, strain gages, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers
• Experience working at a rocket launch facility and supporting launch campaigns
• Basic knowledge of Wheatstone bridge theory, ability to apply Ohm's law, and an understanding of direct current (DC) electronics
• Associate degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems, or another related field
• Experience working in corrosive environments and mitigation techniques
• Operational knowledge of an oscilloscope, multimeter, soldering wires, connectors
• System-level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action
• Knowledge of signal conditioning concepts for various types of sensors to include the following: Thermocouple Types K, S, and E; TC bonding concepts: resistance weld-on and adhesive bond-on types; TC probes through thermowell sheaths; cold Junction compensation concepts
• Experience with the following devices: DC power supplies; DC-DC converters; uninterruptable power supply (UPS) installations; heat shrink tubing, cable harnessing, lacing, and proper strain relief concepts
• Working knowledge of transducers, operational amplifiers, and measurement techniques for temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, vibration, and the application strain gages
• Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures and data communication technologies
• Intermediate skill level using Windows operating systems
• Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote)
• Knowledge of data acquisition concepts, hardware, and interfacing (SCXI and PXI based)

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work multiple shifts and change shifts with minimal notice; flexibility required
• Ability to travel to different sites, as needed, up to 20% travel
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand-over-hand
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
• Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
• Sit: Up to 10 hours per day
• Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
• Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day
• Walk: Up to 10 hours per day
• Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
• Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
• Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day
• Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
• Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for 6 hours or greater per day
• Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, 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.

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.

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.