SpaceX

Builds rockets and runs Starlink satellite internet

Automation & Controls Specialist

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeBrownsville, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalency certificate is required.
At least 4 years of professional experience working with electrical or data acquisition systems is required.
At least 2 years of experience designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems is required; experience from a university or trade school qualifies.
The role requires working in an environment with exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
The schedule varies with site operational needs; availability for overtime and weekends and schedule flexibility are required.
The role requires the physical ability to stand, sit, walk, and reach overhead for up to 10 hours per day; push or pull up to 75 pounds unassisted for 1 to 2 hours per day; lift or carry up to 50 pounds unassisted for 1 to 2 hours per day; climb ladders or stairs for up to 6 hours per day; kneel or crouch for up to 10 hours per day; and twist the upper body for up to 6 hours per day.
The role requires the ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees for 6 or more hours per day.
The candidate must be capable of safely working at heights up to 500 feet and in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the stated physical requirements. A pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical, potentially including a medical history review, may be required.
To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Responsibilities

Develop and upgrade electrical systems for ground support data acquisition and control.
Develop new hardware and processes to improve the capabilities, cost, and setup time of ground support electrical systems.
Develop electrical schematics for system build and commissioning.
Develop software configurations required for control system capabilities.
Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups.
Lead shifts of technicians and/or contractors efficiently.
Analyze data to assess the function of electrical systems.
Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support SpaceX’s goal of a multi-planetary civilization.
Install and commission new automation assets, build panels, update drawings, and build and commission data acquisition and control systems for Starship launches, design and qualification testing, and propellant generation.
Develop and integrate hardware including programmable logic controllers, wire harnesses, printed circuit boards, custom enclosures, motor drive controls, and sensors.

Desired Qualifications

An occupational trade school qualification in an instrumentation- or electrical-based field is preferred.
Knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79, and UL 508A codes is preferred.
Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot data acquisition and control hardware is preferred.
A fundamental understanding of engineering principles behind electronic equipment, instrumentation, and commonly used industrial equipment is preferred.
Ability to select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors, controllers, and variable frequency drives is preferred.
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, is preferred.
General schematic capture and printed circuit board design and/or verification and validation experience is preferred.
Experience tuning proportional-integral-derivative controllers is preferred.
Experience with electrical power distribution and working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E are preferred.
Experience with connectorization standards such as IPC-620, NASA 8739.4, and D38999 specifications is preferred.
Hands-on experience with programming and software development is preferred.
Experience with industrial bus protocols such as Modbus, Profinet, and EtherNet/IP is preferred.
Hands-on experience activating, building, and troubleshooting analog electronic systems is preferred.
Process integration and electromechanical or mechatronic systems experience is preferred.
Experience working with National Instruments cRIOs and cDAQs is preferred.
Exposure to C/C++, Python, and JavaScript is preferred.
Experience with Linux-based operating systems is preferred.

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 SPECIALIST

The launch and test automation and controls specialist role is system-focused and multifaceted. The specialist installs and commissions new automation assets, builds panels, updates drawings, and builds and commissions the data acquisition and control systems required for Starship launches, design and qualification testing, and propellant generation. The specialist develops and integrates hardware including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), wire harnesses, printed circuit boards (PCBs), custom enclosures, motor drive controls, and sensors. These systems support operations that enable safe, economical, and reliable access to space.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop and upgrade electrical systems for ground support data acquisition and control
Develop new hardware and processes to improve capabilities, cost, and setup time of ground support electrical systems
Develop electrical schematics for system build and commissioning
Develop software configurations required for control system capabilities
Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups
Lead shifts of technicians and/or contractors efficiently
Analyze data to assess the function of electrical systems
Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles
Perform other related duties, as assigned, to support SpaceX’s goal of a multi-planetary civilization

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma or equivalency certificate
4+ years of professional experience working with electrical or data acquisition systems
2+ years of experience designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems (experience from a university or trade school qualifies)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

Occupational trade school qualification in an instrumentation or electrical-based field
Knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79, and UL508A codes
Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal
Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
Strong work ethic and drive to succeed as part of a high-functioning team
Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a fast-paced, challenging work environment
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities
Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices
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
Ability to select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors, controllers, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
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
General schematic capture and PCB design and/or verification and validation experience
Experience tuning PID controllers
Experience with electrical power distribution; working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E
Experience with connectorization standards such as IPC-620, NASA 8739.4, and D38999 specifications
Hands-on 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 electronic systems
Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience
Experience working with National Instruments cRIOs and cDAQs
Exposure to C/C++, Python, and JavaScript
Experience with Linux-based operating systems

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
Must be available for overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required
Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
Sit: Up to 10 hours per day
Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
Overhead reach: Up to 10 hours per day
Walk: Up to 10 hours per day
Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) between 1 to 2 hours per day
Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 6 hours per day
Kneel/Crouch: Up to 10 hours per day
Upper body twist: Up to 6 hours per day
Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description. Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review

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

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at SpaceX

See more jobs