Instrumentation & Controls Technician, Water Treatment (Starlink)

SpaceX; Lockhart (TX); On-site; USD 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking an experienced Instrumentation and Controls Technician to support water treatment systems including UPW, IWW, and ZLD. You will troubleshoot PLC panels, calibrate analyzers, and help redesign control loops to keep production flowing.

This hands-on role requires reading P&IDs and schematics, performing preventive maintenance, and collaborating with the water operations team to optimize chemical dosing and valve automation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional maintenance experience in industrial settings.
• Experience with 24VDC low voltage controls and up to 480VAC high voltage.
• Experience with calibration of instrumentation and control systems.

Responsibilities

• Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair industrial instrumentation (pH, ORP, conductivity, turbidity, flow, level, pressure, temperature).
• Troubleshoot and maintain control panels, PLCs (Allen Bradley/Siemens), VFDs, and motor starters for water treatment skids.
• Diagnose issues in 4-20mA, 0-10V, and digital loops (Ethernet/IP, Modbus).
• Collaborate with water operations to optimize chemical dosing pumps and valves for efficiency.
• Perform preventive maintenance on electrical and control systems to minimize downtime.
• Assist engineers with commissioning of new water treatment equipment and upgrades.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and logic diagrams to identify root causes of failures.
• Maintain records of calibration and maintenance activities.
• Configure data acquisition hardware and HMIs.

Skills

Industrial maintenance

Instrumentation

Electrical work

Low voltage controls

High voltage power

PLC troubleshooting

Control panels

Education

High school diploma

Associate degree in instrumentation technology

Associate degree in electrical engineering technology

Tools

Allen Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Ignition SCADA

Job description

the company 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 the company is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal ofenabling human life on Mars.

INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS TECHNICIAN - WATER TREATMENT

The Water Treatment team at the company is looking for an experienced Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Technician to support our rapidly expanding site in Bastrop, TX. You will be the technical backbone of our critical water infrastructure, ensuring the reliability of Ultra-Pure Water (UPW), Industrial Wastewater (IWW), and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems that support our manufacturing and testing operations.

This is not a role for someone who prefers to sit at a desk. We need a hands-on problem solver who can troubleshoot a PLC panel in the morning, calibrate sensitive chemical analyzers in the afternoon, and help redesign a control loop before the end of the day. You will take ownership of the \"eyes and ears\" of our water systems, ensuring uptime for critical production lines and safety for the rest of the operations team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform installation, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of industrial instrumentation, including pH, ORP, conductivity, turbidity, flow, level, pressure, and temperature transmitters
• Troubleshoot and maintain control panels, PLCs (Allen Bradley/Siemens), VFDs, and motor starters related to water treatment skids
• Diagnose issues within 4-20mA, 0-10V, and digital communication loops (Ethernet/IP, Modbus)
• Work closely with the water operations team to optimize chemical dosing pumps and automated valves for process efficiency
• Execute preventative maintenance (PM) plans on electrical and control systems to minimize downtime
• Assist engineers with the commissioning of new water treatment equipment and upgrades to existing infrastructure
• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and logic diagrams to identify root causes of system failures
• Maintain accurate records of calibration and maintenance activities
• Configure the data acquisition hardware and control screens/HMIs

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• 3+ years of professional experience in industrial maintenance, instrumentation, or industrial electrical work
• Experience working with low voltage controls (24VDC) and high voltage power (up to 480VAC)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate degree in instrumentation technology, electrical engineering technology, or a related field
• Experience specifically within water/wastewater treatment facilities (RO, DI, UF, Clarification and Precipitation, Thermal Evaporators)
• Proficiency with Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) and Ignition SCADA software
• Strong understanding of fluid dynamics, pumps, and automated valves
• Ability to solder, terminate wires, and fabricate simple brackets/conduit runs
• Knowledge of NEC (National Electrical Code) and NFPA 70E standards
• Experience with chemical handling systems and hazardous production materials

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• General physical requirements: Standing for long periods, climbing ladders/stairs, lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs, and working in tight quarters
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and on-call shifts when needed to support critical infrastructure

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.

the company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with the company 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 the company’s