Senior Process Controls Engineer, Solar Cell Manufacturing

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Process Controls Engineer for the Solar Cell Factory to design and optimize automated control systems for gas handling and wastewater in a high‑volume, hazardous manufacturing setting.

You will lead PLC/SCADA projects, instrument selection, and safety‑critical compliance, ensuring robust operation and rapid issue resolution. You will coordinate commissioning and FAT/SAT activities, implement interlocks and PID loops, and work across teams to maintain safe, efficient

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or chemical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with fluids/systems manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming.
• Experience with safe handling of hazardous materials in high-volume manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain automation systems including PLC programming and SCADA development for gas farm operations (e.g., vaporizers, storage, and transfer systems) and wastewater treatment processes (e.g., solids separation, clarification, and chemical dosing) to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant performance
• Develop and program PLC control logic, PID loops, and interlocks for centralized control of distributed subsystems, optimizing for real-time monitoring of parameters such as pressure, temperature, flow, pH, and effluent quality
• Select, calibrate, and integrate field instrumentation (e.g., transmitters, sensors, analyzers) in hazardous environments, ensuring compatibility with safety standards like SIL, ATEX, and EPA/NPDES regulations
• Lead commissioning, FAT/SAT testing, and troubleshooting of control systems, performing root-cause analysis to minimize downtime and support 24/7 operations with rapid alarm response
• Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA development

Instrumentation in hazardous env

Control systems commissioning

Safety standards

Electrical design

Standards compliance

Troubleshooting electrical panels

Fieldbus networks

Industrial robotics

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/chemistry

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

EPLAN

SCADA software

HMI/SCADA/IoT

Profinet/EtherCAT

Ignition

Job description

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Process Controls Engineer for the Solar Cell Factory to design and optimize automated control systems for gas handling and wastewater in a high‑volume, hazardous manufacturing setting.

You will lead PLC/SCADA projects, instrument selection, and safety‑critical compliance, ensuring robust operation and rapid issue resolution. You will coordinate commissioning and FAT/SAT activities, implement interlocks and PID loops, and work across teams to maintain safe, efficient