On-Orbit Automation & Controls Engineer

SpaceX; Texas; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Wisconsin seeks an Automation and Controls Engineer for AI satellites to own the manufacturing line of high-performance compute hardware. You will design, assemble, and test advanced electronics, memory, and networking for on-orbit AI workloads.

Responsibilities include PLC programming, HMI development, and ensuring safety standards per ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA across the factory environment. This role requires long hours to meet critical milestones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline.
• 1+ years of experience in industrial automation design and implementation or related project work.
• Strong knowledge of ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements for factory automation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects from ideation to hand-off to operations.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with scalable, maintainable structure.
• Ensure safety by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and machinery.
• Create simple yet effective HMI screens for ease of operation and troubleshooting.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A regulations.
• Plan schedules and budgets and motivate the team to meet them.

Skills

Automation design

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Electrical safety standards

Schematic drawing

Field bus networks

Safety compliance

Robotics familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/computer science

Tools

EPLAN

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EtherCAT

Profinet

OPC UA

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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLSENGINEER,AI SATELLITES(STARMIND)

SpaceX isleveragingits experience deploying andoperatingthe world's largest satellite constellation to developStarmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demandshighly reliable,high performanceelectricalcomputehardware, solar power systems, thermal radiators, and more. These systems mustoperatein the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference.

The Starmind team designs, builds, and operates the orbital compute fabric of the future. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house - from the satellites' flight computers and power systems to the fully custom compute electronics, memory, and networking that form the brain of our on-orbit data centers. As an Automation Engineer on the Starmind team, you'll have ownership over the entire manufacturing line for the hardware that enables advanced on-orbit AI processing and data center workloads. Your work spans the assembly, integration, and testing of industry-leading compute electronics, memory, and networking in order to achieve required domain sizes and processing workloads.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams


• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications


• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment


• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand,operate, and troubleshoot


• Design electrical systems complianttoNEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations


• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree inan engineering, physics, or computer science discipline


• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation or involvement with a project team designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated systems or products

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to engineer creative,new approachesto problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe


• Experience with electromechanical systems


• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFD's, motor starters, various other motion systems


• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using both safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays


• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes


• Proficiencyin understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)


• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication


• Hands-on experience designing and commissioninghigh qualityelectrical panels and electro-mechanical systems withappropriate safetyconsiderations in mind


• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards


• PLC programming, preferably BeckhoffTwinCATstructured text programming


• Programming and implementing machine safety softwarethrough the use ofsafety PLC's


• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus onuser friendlynavigation and machine health monitoring and control


• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferablyEtherCAT,Profinet,Profisafe, Ethernet/IP


• Robotics programming, preferably ABB


• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safelycheckoutthese interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

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 [e-mail].