SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Automation & Controls Engineer - Starship Launch Pad

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeCape Canaveral, FL, USANo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a technical discipline is required.
At least one year of experience designing and commissioning automation and controls systems for industrial applications is required.
The role requires the ability to pass the Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
The role requires the ability to stand, kneel, crouch, twist the upper body, and work in cramped positions in small openings.
The role requires regularly climbing stairs and/or ladders.
The role requires lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds unassisted for one to two hours per day.
The role requires working in an environment with fumes, odors, flashing lights, heat, cold, rain, and noise.
The role requires the ability to travel to other SpaceX or third-party facilities up to 25%.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or be eligible to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorizations.
The role requires designing, implementing, and troubleshooting data acquisition and control hardware.
The role requires a fundamental understanding of engineering principles behind electronic equipment, instrumentation, and commonly used industrial equipment.
The role requires experience designing and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas, including NFPA 70 Section 500 installations and Class 1, Division 1 and Division 2 environments or IEC equivalents.
The role requires familiarity with mixed-signal electronics, power-supply design, analog filtering, testing and troubleshooting techniques, signal integrity, and layout and grounding principles.
The role requires general schematic capture and printed circuit board design and/or verification and validation experience.
The role requires experience with electrical power distribution and working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E.
The role requires firsthand experience with programming and software development.
The role requires experience with industrial bus protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP.
The role requires hands-on experience activating, building, and troubleshooting analog and digital electronic systems, including avionics.
The role requires knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices.

Responsibilities

Design and build controls infrastructure to support ground support equipment used to test and launch the Starship Launch Vehicle.
Maintain the operational capability of all control-voltage-level electrical systems below 60 volts once activated.
Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems across launch infrastructure.
Create automation systems to support evolving launch and test infrastructure needs.
Provide technical support and guidance to controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
Develop hardware and processes to improve capabilities and reduce the cost and setup time of electrical systems.
Analyze data to assess the function and health of electrical systems.
Assist in designing and analyzing experiments to evaluate test articles.

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 (STARSHIP LAUNCH PAD)

This engineer is a systems-focused, automation-driven, multi-faceted individual. The engineer uses electrical and mechanical systems knowledge to primarily inform the design of launch infrastructure for the Starship launch vehicle. SpaceX control engineers develop and integrate physical hardware, including wire harnesses, PCBs, custom enclosures, PLCs, data acquisition systems, avionics systems, engine controllers, and various sensors. The engineer is responsible for the transference of real-time data from these physical sensors to the pad operators, the responsible engineer, or the customer. Excellent operational support and accurate interpretation of data collected from these test systems are paramount. These critical automation & control systems support operations that enable safe, economical, and reliable access to space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design and build the controls infrastructure to support the various types of ground support equipment required to test and launch the Starship Launch Vehicle.
Maintain the operational capability of all control voltage levels (<60V) electrical systems once activated.
Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems across Launch infrastructure.
Create new automation systems as needed to support the evolving needs of the launch and test infrastructure.
Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
Develop new hardware and processes to improve capabilities, reduce cost, and setup time of electrical systems.
Analyze data to assess the function and health of electrical systems.
Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering or computer engineering or technical discipline.
1+ year experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot data acquisition and control hardware.
Fundamental understanding of engineering principles behind electronic equipment, instrumentation, and commonly used industrial equipment.
Experience designing and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (NFPA 70 Section 500 installations); class 1, division 1 and division 2 environments or IEC equivalence.
Familiarity with mixed signal electronics, power supply design, analog filtering; testing and troubleshooting techniques, signal integrity, layout and grounding principles.
General schematic capture and printed circuit board (PCB) design and/or verification and validation experience.
Experience with electrical power distribution, working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E.
First-hand experience with programming and software development.
Experience with industrial bus protocols such as Modbus, Profinet and EtherNet/IP.
Hands-on experience activating, building, and troubleshooting analog & digital electronic systems, including avionics.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed as part of a high-functioning team.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities.
Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to pass Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings.
Ability to perform physical tasks such as climbing up and down stairs and/or ladders regularly throughout the day.
Lift/Carry: Up to 25lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed as part of a high-functioning team.
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities.
Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices.
Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, flashing lights, heat, cold, rain, and noise.
Ability to travel to other SpaceX or 3rd party facilities (up to 25%).

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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