SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Automation & Controls Engineer - Starlink

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeRedmond, WA, USA$100k - $165k

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or another STEM discipline is required.
At least 1 year of experience designing and commissioning automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment is required; internships and project work count.
Be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
Have hands-on experience with at least one industrial automation, software, or electrical discipline and an interest in learning areas where experience is lacking.
Be able to solve complex problems with simple solutions and little supervision.
Be able to learn quickly and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
Have written and verbal communication skills.
Have hands-on experience with one or more of the following industrial automation technologies: programmable logic controllers, commercial off-the-shelf robots, servo motion, machine vision, distributed input/output, and pneumatic controls.
Have experience with fieldbus networking protocols such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, or Modbus RTU.
Have experience with machinery and processes such as dispensing, pick-and-place, fastener installation, automated bonding, thermo-compression, soldering, ultrasonic welding, temperature and position control, injection molding, or die casting, and with design for manufacturing.
Have applied statistical process control and other data tools, including descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression, and correlation, to improve manufacturing processes.
Have experience safely testing and commissioning integrated systems.
Have experience with programmable logic controller programming; Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text is preferred.
Have experience with state machines and applying object-oriented programming to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics, or hydraulics.
Have experience with robotics programming; ABB Rapid is preferred.
Have experience with human-machine interfaces, supervisory control and data acquisition, Internet of Things protocols such as MQTT or OPC-UA, SQL, C#, .NET, or Python.
Have experience with industrial machine vision; Cognex Vision Pro is preferred, and Halcon or OpenCV is acceptable.
Have experience sizing motors, cables, and circuit protection, and with variable-frequency drives, motor starters, and other motion systems.
Have experience designing fail-safe electrical circuits using safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays.
Have hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, or EMI probes.
Be proficient in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single-line diagrams; EPLAN is preferred.
Have knowledge of analog signal integrity and electromagnetic interference reduction.
Have hands-on experience designing and commissioning high-quality electrical panels and electromechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations.
Have knowledge of National Electrical Code, NFPA, and UL 508A codes and be able to ensure compliance with control-system safety standards.

Responsibilities

Design, build, qualify, and implement projects spanning machine design, robotics, and manufacturing processes from initial ideation through production use.
Architect, write, and debug programmable logic controller code.
Implement vision systems for robotic guidance, quality control, and data collection.
Design systems to control processes and track factory performance, and collaborate across teams to improve manufacturing efficiency using data.
Design user interfaces that make complex machines easy to use and troubleshoot.
Create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics for control panels.
Implement systems compliant with ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA requirements to maintain factory safety.

Desired Qualifications

Use Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text for programmable logic controller programming.
Use ABB Rapid for robotics programming.
Use Cognex Vision Pro for industrial machine vision; Halcon and OpenCV are acceptable alternatives.
Use EPLAN for electrical schematics and single-line diagrams.

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.

AUTOMATION & CONTROLS ENGINEER (STARLINK)

Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation 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 and the software that brings it all together. As a member of the Starlink Tooling and Automation team you will work with elite engineers on high impact applications to create the factory of the future for high volume satellite production that will maximize Starlink’s impact around the globe and beyond.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design, build, qualify and implement projects spanning machine design, robotics and manufacturing processes from initial ideation to production use
Architect, write, and debug PLC code
Implement vision systems for robotic guidance, quality control and data collection
Design systems to control processes, track factory performance and collaborate across teams to increase manufacturing efficiency in a data driven way
Design user interfaces that make complex machines easy to use and troubleshoot
Create electrical, pneumatic and fluid schematics for control panels
Keep our factories safe by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or another STEM discipline
1+ years of experience in the design and commissioning of automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment (internships and project work are applicable)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions and little supervision
Excited by a fast-paced environment, strong desire and ability to learn quickly and adapt
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Hands-on experience with at least one of the specific disciplines below and interest in learning the other areas you are not yet strong in:

Industrial Automation:

Automation Hardware: PLC’s, COTS Robots, servo motion, machine vision, distributed IO, pneumatic controls, etc.
Field Bus Networking protocols: EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, etc.
Machinery and processes: dispenser, pick and place, fastener installation, automated bonding, thermo-compression, soldering, ultrasonic welding, temperature & position control, injection molders, die casters, etc. and design for manufacturing
Applied Statistical Process Control and other data tools (descriptive, inferential, regression, correlation) to improve manufacturing processes
Safely testing and commissioning integrated systems

Software:

PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text, state machines, applying Object Oriented Programming to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, etc.
Robotics programming, preferably ABB Rapid
HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), SQL, C#, .NET, Python
Industrial machine vision, Cognex Vision Pro preferred, Halcon & OpenCV acceptable

Electrical:

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)
Analog signal integrity and EMI reduction
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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $165,000.00

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 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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

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 Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].

About the Company

SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

SpaceX builds and launches reusable rockets and spacecraft for NASA, the military, and companies, and it runs Starlink, a satellite internet service for homes and businesses. In 2020, its Dragon capsule became the first privately built spacecraft to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. Its Falcon 9 rocket lands its first stage so the booster can fly again, which cuts launch costs, while Starlink beams internet from low-orbit satellites to small dishes for a monthly fee. SpaceX also owns xAI, maker of the Grok chatbot and owner of the social network X, and is building Starship, a fully reusable rocket meant to carry people to the Moon and Mars. Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002, and it is based in Starbase, Texas.

Company size: 10,001+
Company stage: IPO
Headquarters: Starbase, Texas
Founded: 2002

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