Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components)

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP is seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer in Hawthorne, CA. In this role, you will design and implement automated solutions for the Starship production. Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree and extensive experience in automation systems.

The compensation ranges from $130,000 to $180,000 annually, and includes comprehensive benefits such as medical coverage, a 401(k) plan, and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications.
• Hands-on experience in building and commissioning electrical control panels.

Responsibilities

• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development balancing specifications and costs.
• Lay out new industrial electrical control panels and create schematics.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code for manufacturing applications.
• Develop robot systems for automated manufacturing processes.
• Implement safety systems for manufacturing equipment.

Skills

Design and commissioning of automation and controls systems

Robotic weld applications

PLC programming

Electrical schematic CAD

Communication skills

Education

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

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

EPlan

National Instruments software

Job description

Hawthorne, CA

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.

SR. AUTOMATION & CONTROLS ENGINEER (COMPONENTS)

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit. We are looking for an automation & controls engineer to help SpaceX develop and build a great variety of automated solutions for Starship Production. This role will be hands‑on in designing and activating hardware and software systems for the machines that make up the Starship production and machining line.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead‑time limits
• Lay out new industrial electrical control panels that are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant and create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code, emphasizing generating organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code for manufacturing applications
• Develop robot systems to aid in the automated manufacturing of various vehicle sub‑components
• Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting
• Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic and fluid plumbing
• Select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers
• Deploy automated processes and equipment into production
• Set, implement, and maintain schedules and budgets to ensure project completion

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 5+ years experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience
• Experience in a variety of robotic weld applications (Kuka, ABB & Fanuc)
• Robot and PLC simulation experience
• Experience working with National Instruments software and hardware
• Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan
• C#, .NET, Python and/or SQL experience
• PLC programming experience, preferably Siemens TIA Portal & Beckhoff TwinCat 3
• HMI and SCADA programming experience
• Field bus networks, serial communication and Ethernet communication
• Hands‑on experience building and commissioning high quality electrical control panels and electromechanical systems
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL508A codes
• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (vision systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, Nut‑Runners, etc.)
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Experience in fast‑paced iterative design and manufacturing environments
• Experience solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Automation & Controls Engineer/Senior: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long‑term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

• 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.

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.