Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer, Assembly Manufacturing (Starlink)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX seeks a Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer for Assembly Manufacturing (Starlink) to lead multi-disciplinary automation projects from ideation through hand-off to operations.

The role emphasizes PLC programming, electrical design, HMI development, and safety compliance across high-volume manufacturing environments with travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects across ideation, commissioning, rate testing, and hand-off to operations.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with organized, maintainable structures for high-volume manufacturing.
• Ensure factory safety and reliability with ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots and conveyors.
• Create simple, intuitive 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 milestones.

Skills

Automation design

PLC programming

Electrical schematics

HMI/SCADA

Safety compliance

Robotics

Industrial networks

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

EPLAN

EtherCAT

Profinet

Ignition

Job description

Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer, Assembly Manufacturing (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX

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.

At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the world.

As a member of this team you will lead creative, multi-disciplinary projects spanning machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring that all come together to form the innovative, high-rate factories that allow us to deliver internet to those that need it most.

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 compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 5+ years of experiencein industrial or factory automation design and implementation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to 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
• Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards
• PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text programming
• Programming and implementing machine safety software through the use of safety PLC’s
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus on user friendly navigation and machine health monitoring and control
• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferably EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Robotics programming, preferably ABB
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
• Must be willing to travel up to 10%
• 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 Aff... or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].