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

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP; Bastrop (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP in Bastrop, TX, seeks a Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer focused on developing automation projects to support high-volume manufacturing for Starlink. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in engineering and over 5 years' experience in controls systems design. Responsibilities include managing automation projects, collaborating across teams, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. Strong knowledge of PLC programming, electrical systems, and industry regulations is essential, along with a willingness to work flexible hours as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in design and commissioning of controls systems for industrial applications.
• Experience with PLC programming and HMI/SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of NEC, UL508A codes.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and challenge existing designs.
• Debug and continuously improve equipment in a high-rate production environment.

Skills

Automation project management

PLC programming

Robotics programming

Electrical systems design

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

EPlan

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Job description

Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer, Insource 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.

SpaceX is developing a low latency broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable.

As a member of the Materials Engineering group, you will develop and implement technologies to support high-volume production, rapid product iteration, and new capabilities at SpaceX. You will work with multiple manufacturing disciplines, including injection molding, high pressure die casting, stamping, and mold manufacturing. A strong focus on safety is required, ensuring that all technologies and processes meet the highest safety standards. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design engineering, manufacturing, and operations. Having an open mindset, challenging requirements, and using engineering fundamentals are essential in this role.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects
• Manage specifications, cost, lead-time, installation, and commissioning of new equipment
• Own safety strategy and planning. Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems
• Collaborate with and challenge mechanical designers and manufacturing engineers to create system requirements and architecture
• Create and maintain equipment documentation and drawings to enable hand-off to operational teams
• Debug, root‑cause, and make continuous improvements of equipment in a high‑rate production environment
• 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
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
• Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic and fluid plumbing

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
• 5+ years of experience in the design and commissioning of controls systems for industrial applications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience
• Robot programming experience, preferably ABB
• C#, .NET, python and/or SQL experience
• PLC programming experience, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT or Siemens TIA Portal
• HMI and SCADA programming experience, preferably Ignition or Beckhoff TwinCAT HMI
• Field bus networks, serial communication and Ethernet communication
• Knowledge of NEC, UL508A codes
• Experience with 3D CAD, preferably Siemens NX
• Exposure to a wide variety of industrial machinery
• Experience in fast‑paced iterative design and test environments
• Experience automating the aggregation of metrics into dashboards and alerting systems
• Experience with developing and deploying tools used for data analysis
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation
• Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan
• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, and other motion systems
• Hands‑on experience building and commissioning high quality electrical control panels and electro‑mechanical systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be willing to travel up to 10%
• Standing/walking for long periods of time
• Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as necessary to accommodate manufacturing and test campaigns
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

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, or requiring reasonable accommodation to the application or interview process, should reach out to [e-mail].