Automation & Controls Engineer (Raptor Manufacturing Systems)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $100k–$115k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. Troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics, and electrical components issues on an aggressive production schedule.
- They ask for
- 1+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Automation, EHS / safety
- Base pay
- $100k–$115k
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $123k–$179k. This one lists $100k–$115k.
Median of the low and high ends of 55 live postings that list pay, out of 88 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 87 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 29% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 5+)
Typical $124k–$179k, from 54 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 63%
- ✓ PLC 48%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 40%
- Python 39%
- Robotics 35%
- New product launch 20%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for EHS / safety, 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 7 people at this company and state: 4 in this kind of role, 3 leaders. 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 Bob → (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?
- 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 Hawthorne
47 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in controls roles at SpaceX.
- Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) · Reliability · Manager
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Environmental & Thermal Control Engineer (Dragon) · Controls
- Manufacturing Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop) · Manufacturing
- Space Operations Engineer (Ground Operator Training) · Production
- Lead Supplier Development Engineer, PCB/PCBA (Starshield) · Quality · Manager
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial design ideation, machine commissioning and proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams
- ◆Develop training programs for technicians and engineers
- ◆Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications
- ◆Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems
- ◆Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
- ◆Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
- ◆Troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics, and electrical components issues on an aggressive production schedule.
- ◆Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science or STEM discipline
- ✓1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and commissioning
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role
- ✓Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation stages
- ✓Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to make plans and directional recommendations collaboratively and cross-functionally
- ✓Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety
requirements
to keep a factory safe
Experience with at least two of the specific disciplines listed below. The ideal candidate is interested in learning at least the fundamentals of the other areas they are not yet strong in.
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
- ✓Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones
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 engineer (raptor manufacturing systems)
As an Automation & Controls Engineer for 3D additive printers supporting Raptor, you will be directly responsible for the design, integration, wiring, and commissioning of safety logic and motion-controlled systems. As a member of this team, you will play a critical role in delivering these advanced printers at the scale required to meet Starship’s production rate goals and enable humans to reach the Moon, Mars, & beyond
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 (EPLAN preferred)
- •Familiar with Fieldbus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication preferably Modbus TCP, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
- •Hands-on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
- •Knowledge of NEC, IEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards
Electronics
- •Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics and electrical component issues on aggressive production schedules, with a track record of driving design or process improvements to prevent recurrence
- •Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
- •Experience designing analog, digital, and mixed-signal circuits
- •Experience with analog signal chains, signal conditioning circuits, or hardware filter design
- •Experience with Ethernet, network switches, microcontrollers, FPGAs, memory devices, or general networking concepts
- •Experience with digital signal processing, analog control loops, or control loop stability analysis
- •Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout software (KiCad, Altium Designer, Eagle, or Xpedition)
- •Experience with electrical simulation tools (LTspice, SIMetrix, or similar)
- •Familiarity with best practices for low-noise design and EMI/EMC mitigation in PCB layouts
Industrial Software
- •Experience with PLC programming, preferably using Schneider Electric Machine Expert
- •Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), preferably Schneider Electric Altivar
- •Experience programming and implementing machine safety software and safety systems
- •Experience developing SCADA systems using Inductive Automation Ignition and IoT solutions with MQTT and OPC-UA, with a focus on intuitive user interfaces and machine health monitoring
- •Experience integrating industrial software with mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics, and hydraulics, including performing safe system checkout and validation prior to production implementation
Pay range
Automation & Controls Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Automation & Controls Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year
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, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as po