Instrumentation & Controls Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink)

InvestedintheMission; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) to support integration, commissioning, and maintenance of automation on solar cell production lines. The role emphasizes safe, structured repairs, panel wiring, and collaboration with engineers to maximize uptime.

Responsibilities include PLC/HMI/SCADA work, system diagnostics, sensor networks, and adherence to NFPA 79 and UL 508A standards in a high‑volume manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalency
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline

Responsibilities

• Support integration and commissioning of vendor/OEM equipment into Ignition SCADA and line controls
• Perform safe electrical work within safety standards and verify energy isolation and safeties
• Maximize uptime through troubleshooting and basic repairs on electromechanical and robotic systems
• Wire, commission, build, and maintain industrial control panels and field devices per NFPA 79 and UL 508A
• Diagnose PLCs, HMIs, alarms, sequences, I/O, and support parameter adjustments with documentation
• Set up and validate sensors, instrumentation, IO-Link devices, and industrial networks
• Support controls for VFDs, servo systems, motion axes, robots, conveyors, and AGVs/AMRs
• Provide controls support for solar cell equipment and facilities interfaces to protect product quality
• Perform structured fault finding and rapid corrective actions to minimize downtime
• Collaborate with engineers and maintenance teams for safe, reliable solutions
• Maintain documentation, tickets, and 5S workspace

Skills

Reading schematics and drawings

PLC and HMI/SCADA experience

Electrical panel wiring

NFPA 70/70E/79; UL 508A knowledge

Troubleshooting and fault finding

Industrial networks (Ignition)

5S and lean principles

Documentation & reporting

Education

High school diploma or equivalency

Bachelor's degree in engineering, math, or science

Tools

Ignition SCADA

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Siemens TIA Portal

Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Studio 5000

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 of enabling human life on Mars.

INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROLS TECHNICIAN, SOLAR CELLS (STARLINK)

At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power, and we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. The Instrumentation & Controls Technician will provide hand‑on support for the integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of automation and controls systems on our advanced solar cell production lines.

This role focuses on safe, structured execution of repairs and recoveries that maximize uptime, wiring and building industrial control panels, supporting PLC/HMI/SCADA systems, and ensuring reliable operation of electromechanical, robotic, sensor, motion, and process‑critical equipment while collaborating closely with Specialists and Engineers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support integration and commissioning of vendor/OEM equipment into centralized SCADA software (Ignition) and production line controls
• Perform safe controls and electrical work within LOTO, arc-flash, guarding, interlock, robot/AGV, bypass‑control, and restart‑verification requirements; identify hazards, verify zero energy, validate safety devices after repair, and elevate unsafe conditions or unauthorized changes
• Maximize uptime of automation assets through hands‑on troubleshooting, basic repairs, and corrective actions on electromechanical, robotic, pneumatic, and control systems
• Wire, commission, validate, build, and maintain industrial control panels and field devices to NFPA 79 & UL 508A standards; replace like‑for‑like components (power supplies, relays, fuses, terminal blocks, sensors, etc.), restore wiring condition, and create accurate redlines
• Navigate and diagnose PLCs, HMIs, alarms, permissives, sequences, I/O status, recipes, and logic behavior; clear approved alarms, perform basic recovery, capture evidence (screenshots, codes, states), and support minor authorized parameter/recipe adjustments with documentation
• Set up, diagnose, replace, and validate sensors, instrumentation, vision, barcode/RFID, encoders, IO-Link devices, and industrial networks; verify signals, alignment, scaling, and network health
• Support controls for VFDs, servo systems, motion axes, robots, conveyors, AGV/AMR interfaces, and controlled movement; perform documented resets, homing, recovery, and safe dry‑cycle checks
• Provide controls support for process‑critical solar cell equipment (e.g., deposition, chemical processing, printing, firing, testing, material transfer) and facilities/utility interfaces; protect product quality, recipe state, contamination control, and process stability during recovery
• Perform structured fault finding, root‑cause support, and rapid corrective actions to minimize downtime on solar cell manufacturing equipment
• Collaborate with engineers, Instrumentation & Controls Specialists, production, and maintenance teams to deliver safe, reliable solutions and continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate documentation, work tickets, and records; support 5S principles, inventory control, and a clean, organized workspace
• Ensure all work complies with safety protocols, cleanroom standards (as applicable), lock‑out/tag‑out, and regulatory requirements in a high‑volume manufacturing environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing and production environment with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79, and UL 508A codes
• Demonstrated hands‑on skill in fault finding, structured troubleshooting, electrical panel work, multimeter use, schematic reading, and problem resolution
• Ability to read, interpret, and redline electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
• PLC and HMI experience or familiarization with Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, and/or Allen‑Bradley RSLogix/Studio 5000; ability to navigate alarms, I/O status, sequences, and basic diagnostics
• Experience with electrical control panel design, building, and wiring; sensors and instrumentation (photoeyes, proximity, pressure, vacuum, temperature, flow, encoders, vision, barcode/RFID, IO-Link)
• Experience with SCADA systems (Ignition preferred), sensors, actuators, servo drives, interlocks, production support devices, VFDs, robots, conveyors, AGVs/AMRs, and industrial networks
• Familiarity with process‑critical controls, recipes, facilities/utility interfaces, hazardous gas/chemicals, cleanroom protocols, and product‑protection practices
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); detail‑oriented with strong organizational, documentation, and communication skills
• Creative problem‑solver with a high sense of urgency, ability to work independently or as part of a team, and flexibility in a fast‑paced, high‑stress production setting
• Experience with 5S, lean principles, CMMS/work ticket systems, and continuous improvement for uptime and reliability

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work overtime and/or weekends as needed
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Must be able to walk and stand for long periods of time
• Must be comfortable working in a production environment with extensive use of hazardous chemicals such as acids, alkalis, and solvents
• Must be able to wear appropriate PPE for lab and electro‑chemical manufacturing environment
• Must be comfortable with climbing up and down ladders, grasping, standing, lifting, bending, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, carrying, crawling, and maneuvering in tight spaces
• Must be willing to train on 1st shift from 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM for initial 30 days
• Must be willing to work one or more of the following schedules:
  • A-Shift: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
  • B-Shift: 5:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
  • C-Shift: 5:00 PM - 5:00 AM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
  • D-Shift: 5:00 PM - 5:00 AM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].