Sr. Process Controls Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink)

SpaceX; Bastrop (TX); Vor Ort; USD 130.000 - 180.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

SpaceX in Bastrop, TX is seeking a Sr. Process Controls Engineer for the Solar Cell Factory (Starlink). You will design, build, and optimize controls for delivery of gases and chemicals in solar cell fabrication, ensuring safe handling of hazardous materials and reliable control code.

The role includes commissioning, FAT/SAT, and troubleshooting of PLC/SCADA systems, instrument selection, and compliance with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A to keep a high-volume factory safe and efficient.

Qualifikationen

• 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 PLC/SCADA systems, instrumentation, and safety standards (SIL/ATEX/EPA).

Aufgaben

• Design, implement, and maintain automation systems including PLC/SCADA for gas farm operations and wastewater treatment.
• Develop PLC control logic, PID loops, and interlocks for centralized control of subsystems.
• Select, calibrate, and integrate field instrumentation in hazardous environments with safety compliance.
• Lead commissioning, FAT/SAT testing, and troubleshooting of control systems.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A.

Kenntnisse

PLC programming

SCADA development

PID loops

Interlocks

Field instrumentation

Hazardous materials handling

Safety standards

Cross-functional communication

Troubleshooting

Design and commissioning

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in engineering/physics/chemistry

Tools

EPLAN

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

EMI probes

Jobbeschreibung

Sr. Process Controls Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (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 ofenabling human life on Mars.

The Solar Cell team is revolutionizing power generation for space applications through advanced solar cell manufacturing. We're scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells to support sustainable energy solutions for Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and beyond. As a Sr. Process Controls Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize controls and automation systems for the delivery of critical gases and chemicals in solar cell fabrication. This role requires a detail-oriented engineer passionate about safe handling of hazardous materials in a high-volume manufacturing environment, ensuring reliable control code and safe instrumentation and design of processes like vacuum deposition and etching while minimizing risks and maximizing efficiency in our cutting-edge solar cell factory.

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

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or chemical discipline
• 5+ years of experience with fluids/systems manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Excited by a quick and iterativedesignand manufacturing role
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in bothdesignand implementation stages
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to make plans and directional recommendations collaboratively and cross-functionally
• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe
• Hazardous process expertise in an aerospace, oil and gas, or chemical industry where high pressure or hazardous systems for fluids or gasses were in use

Experience with at least one of the specific disciplines listed below. The ideal candidate is interested in learning at least the fundamentals of the other areas they are not yet strong in.

• Electrical sizing of motors, valves, pneumatics, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, various other motion systems
• Designof 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, Profinet and Ethernet communications
• Hands-on experiencedesigning 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

Industrial Software

• PLC programming, preferably Siemens TIA Portal structured text + ladder
• 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
• 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 A… or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITARhere.

If (f) Other, please explain:

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.