Automation & Controls Specialist, Tool & Die - 2nd Shift
SpaceX · Bastrop, TX
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level controls role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Logix5000, or similar).
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- 5S, PLC, Automation, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA / NX
- Day to day
- about 25% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$91k.
Median of the low and high ends of 50 live postings that list pay, out of 825 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 26 other live controls postings in Texas.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 3+)
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 59%
- ✓ Automation 59%
- Robotics 30%
- Root cause 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA / NX, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at SpaceX
We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Naseh → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: SpaceX in Bastrop
157 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in controls roles at SpaceX.
- Facilities Specialist, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) · Reliability · Specialist
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Sr. Supplier Development Engineer (Starlink) · Quality · Senior
- Lead Production Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Production · Technician
- PECVD Process Engineer, Solar Cells (Starlink) · Process
- Process Specialist, Vendor Management (Starlink) · Process · Specialist
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Integrate, commission, and troubleshoot electromechanical automation systems, collaborating closely with engineering to deliver production-ready solutions
- ◆Develop and build new automation solutions while improving existing assets to meet evolving production
requirements
- ✓Read and use system-level schematics (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic)
- ✓Design, build, and wire industrial control panels to NFPA 79 and UL 508A standards
- ✓Design, implement, and commission PLC and HMI software applications using ladder logic and structured text
- ✓Specify and procure components, sensors, actuators, and hardware required for control system implementation
- ✓Implement corrective actions and robust preventative maintenance processes
- ✓Develop and maintain automation standards that improve consistency, reliability, uptime, and safety
- ✓Maintain production areas by enforcing proper workflow, 5S principles, safety, tidiness, and inventory control
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing and production environment; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline
- ✓2+ years of professional experience in a hands-on automation or controls environment in manufacturing
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Logix5000, or similar)
- ✓Experience designing, building, and troubleshooting industrial control panels and automation systems
- ✓Working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and UL 508A standards
- ✓Experience reading and creating electrical/pneumatic schematics using EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, Visio, NX, or SolidWorks
Requirements
- ✓Must be willing to work the following hours:
- ✓2nd shift: Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 2:00am
- ✓Able to work overtime and weekends as needed to support critical production milestones
- ✓Must be able to acquire forklift certification
- ✓Standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required
- ✓Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Able to travel for business trips as needed (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 .
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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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, tool & die
One of the most ambitious missions SpaceX has undertaken, the Starlink satellite constellation, is our solution to providing reliable, high-speed internet to the entire world — including rural communities and areas with little or no connectivity. We are looking for talented Automation & Controls Specialists to help design, build, integrate, commission, and continuously improve automation systems that support our tool and die shop.
Our tool and die shop makes the molds (dies) that are used to produce high volume components for Starlink User Terminal and other programs. This role is responsible for delivering safe, innovative, and reliable automation assets that drive quality, throughput, and cost targets. It is an ideal next career step if you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, enjoy solving difficult technical problems with high impact, and love building and optimizing systems from the ground up.