SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Instrumentation & Controls Technician

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBrownsville, TX, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required.
At least 1 year of hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining instrumentation, automation, or controls systems is required.
At least 1 year of experience using mechanical and/or electronics hand tools, including work from schematics on piping, valves, sensors, or control wiring, is required.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
The role requires hands-on work in heat, cold, rain, tight quarters, or at heights; extended hours and weekends as needed; focus in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment; lifting up to 50 pounds unassisted; and 24/7 on-call emergency support.

Responsibilities

Install, configure, operate, and maintain instrumentation, automation, control, and SCADA systems for infrastructure, utility, and fluids systems.
Fabricate and install fluid-system components from schematics and drawings, including stainless and aluminum piping, ball and check valves, pressure regulators, sensors, and gauges.
Connect, verify, calibrate, and troubleshoot pressure transducers, thermocouples, and other sensors, and complete electrical ground support equipment wiring.
Configure and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications in a high-reliability production and launch environment.
Update, redline, and troubleshoot electrical and pneumatic schematics using EPLAN, Schematics, and similar tools.
Assemble and wire industrial control panels to NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards, and install power-system controls in line with NFPA 70, 70B, 70E, NESC, and IEEE requirements.
Perform high-pressure liquid and pneumatic testing and repair urgent issues found during activation or production use.
Support controls upgrades, commissioning, testing, hand-off, and training as systems scale.
Read and interpret drawings, data sheets, bills of materials, and engineering sketches, and keep SCADA and as-built documentation current.
Give engineers practical feedback on how systems will be operated and maintained.
Write short work instructions from drawings and requirements.
Support statements of work and contractor work so the in-house team can keep pace.
Train junior technicians on instrumentation and controls tasks.
Plan and complete weekly work with minimal impact to operating systems.

Desired Qualifications

At least 3 years of experience in industrial instrumentation, automation, controls, or fluid systems.
Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems.
Experience with pneumatic or hydraulic system fabrication.
Experience with orbital or structural welding.
Professional experience with calibrated measuring instruments.
Experience using heavy equipment, including overhead cranes, forklifts, and manlifts.
Relevant certifications such as ISA CCST, NICET, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, or Siemens.
Experience designing or developing HMI applications with Ignition.
Familiarity with SEL, Allen-Bradley, and Siemens control-device suites.
Experience deploying and troubleshooting server/client SCADA applications.
Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC schematics, and bills of materials.
Experience implementing control logic schemes such as ladder logic and basic network configurations.
Experience with IEC-61131 programming, including ladder logic and structured text.
Experience with IT/OT network troubleshooting.
Familiarity with industrial communications protocols such as Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, and DNP3.
Experience with electrical schematic CAD tools such as EPLAN and AutoCAD.
Experience with C#, .NET, Python, and/or SQL for scripting and automation tasks.

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.

INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROLS TECHNICIAN

Join the Starbase infrastructure team at SpaceX to build, install, operate, and maintain instrumentation and controls for critical power, HVAC, utility, and fluids systems supporting launch, production, supercomputer, and power-generation projects. As a technician, you will install and troubleshoot the sensors, valves, wiring, and control systems that run them, working from the field device through the PLC and SCADA. The role is based at Starbase, TX, with potential travel to other SpaceX facilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Install, configure, operate, and maintain instrumentation, automation, control, and SCADA systems for the infrastructure, utility, and fluids systems
Fabricate and install fluid-system components from schematics and drawings, including stainless and aluminum piping, ball and check valves, pressure regulators, and sensors and gauges
Connect, verify, calibrate, and troubleshoot pressure transducers, thermocouples, and other sensors, and complete the wiring of electrical ground support equipment
Configure and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications in a high-reliability production and launch environment
Update, redline, and troubleshoot electrical and pneumatic schematics (EPLAN, Schematics, and similar)
Assemble and wire industrial control panels to NFPA 79 / NEC / UL 508A, and install power-system controls in line with NFPA 70, 70B, 70E, NESC, and IEEE
Perform high-pressure liquid and pneumatic testing, and repair high-urgency issues found during activation or production use
Support controls upgrades, commissioning, testing, hand-off, and training as systems scale
Read and interpret drawings, data sheets, BOMs, and engineering sketches, and keep SCADA and as-built documentation current
Give engineers practical feedback on how systems will be operated and maintained
Write short work instructions from drawings and requirements
Support SOWs and contractor work so the in-house team can keep pace
Train junior technicians on instrumentation and controls tasks
Plan and finish weekly work with minimal impact to operating systems

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
1+ years hands-on installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining instrumentation, automation, or controls systems
1+ years using mechanical and/or electronics hand tools, including work from schematics on piping, valves, sensors, or control wiring

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

3+ years in industrial instrumentation, automation, controls, or fluid systems
Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems
Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic system fabrication
Experience with orbital or structural welding
Professional experience with calibrated measuring instruments
Experience using heavy equipment, including but not limited to, overhead cranes, forklifts and manlifts
Relevant certifications (e.g., ISA CCST, NICET, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens)
Experience designing/developing HMI applications with Ignition
Familiar with SEL, Allen Bradley and Siemens suite of control devices
Experience deploying and troubleshooting server/client SCADA applications
Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC schematics, and bills of materials
Experience implementing control logic schemes (e.g., ladder logic) and basic network configurations
Experience with IEC-61131 programming (ladder logic, structured text)
Experience with IT/OT network troubleshooting
Familiarity with industrial communications protocols: Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, DNP3, etc.
Experience with electrical schematic CAD tools (EPLAN, AutoCAD, etc.)
Experience with C#, .NET, Python, and/or SQL for scripting and automation tasks
Demonstrated initiative, creative problem-solving, and strong hands-on troubleshooting skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills to prioritize, schedule, and implement solutions with minimal operational impact
Proven ability to work independently or in teams in dynamic, high-stress environments with tight deadlines

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Perform hands-on work in all environments (heat, cold, rain), in tight quarters or at heights
Work extended hours and weekends as needed to support launch operations
Remain focused in hazardous environments while wearing appropriate PPE
Lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted
Provide 24/7 on-call support for emergencies

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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