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Automation & Controls Specialist, Solar Cell Manufacturing (Starlink)

SpaceX · Bastrop, TX

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Level
Specialist
Team
Controls
Degree
Required
Experience asked
2+ years
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A specialist controls role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Bastrop, TX. Additionally, the Automation & Controls Specialist will be responsible for assisting in the design of new controls components and integrating with vendor-provided equipment.

They ask for
2+ years · degree required
Tools it names
Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $95k–$140k.

Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 81 controls engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 80 other live controls postings in Texas.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $95k–$140k, from 8 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Less than usual (2+ vs 4+)

Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ PLC 84%
  • ✓ Automation 77%
  • ✓ Robotics 40%
  • EHS / safety 27%
  • Python 26%
  • New product launch 22%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 2+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Lifts up to 25 lbs

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. 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. 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.

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  3. 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. 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. 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.

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Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Integrate vendor/OEM equipment into centralized SCADA software (Ignition) for advanced line control
  • ◆Maximize the uptime of all automation assets on our advanced manufacturing lines
  • ◆Develop data analysis tools to root-cause the largest downtime sources and propose long-term fixes
  • ◆Specify and procure required components, sensors, and hardware needed for implementing controls solutions
  • ◆Wire, commission, and validate electromechanical and pneumatic control systems
  • ◆Design and commission basic PLC and HMI software applications, and additions to existing systems
  • ◆Interpret and develop logic for Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA, and Allen-Bradley RS Logix
  • ◆Read, understand, and utilize system-level schematics (mechanical/electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic)
  • ◆Support production devices (HMIs, VM’s, Thin Clients, IoT devices)

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 experience working with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic systems

Preferred skills and experience

  • ✓Associate or bachelor's degree in engineering, math, or science discipline
  • ✓Demonstrated hands-on skill in fault finding, mechanical system troubleshooting, and solid problem resolution skills
  • ✓Highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills; a team player, yet able to work independently when necessary
  • ✓Exceptional problem solving and communication skills, creative, and has strong organizational skills as well as documentation
  • ✓Strong, working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79 & UL508A codes
  • ✓PLC and HMI programming experience or familiarization using ladder logic and structured text (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA, and Allen-Bradley RS Logix)
  • ✓Mechanical equipment design/build experience
  • ✓Experience with electrical control panel design, building, and wiring
  • ✓Electrical schematic drawing/updates
  • ✓Excellent skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • ✓Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
  • ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
  • ✓Analytical skills - skilled at gathering and analyzing information to understand complex situations and solve problems
  • ✓Ability to maintain a safe and clean working environment while adhering to company policies, quality policies, and industry standards

Requirements

  • ✓Due to the nature of production line bring-up, the work schedule will evolve throughout ramp
  • ✓Will start as 8 AM - 6 PM (Monday - Friday)
  • ✓Final permanent schedules:
  • ✓A-Shift: 5 AM - 5 PM (Sunday-Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
  • ✓B-Shift: 5 AM - 5 PM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
  • ✓C-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Sunday-Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
  • ✓D-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
  • ✓Must be able to gain forklift certification
  • ✓Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
  • ✓Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
  • ✓Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime and weekends as needed

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 ↓

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, solar cell manufacturing (starlink)

SpaceX is becoming a world leader in electronics manufacturing in the heart of Texas. The Automation & Controls Specialist for the Solar Cell Manufacturing facility will be responsible for troubleshooting complex controls issues within existing SpaceX critical assets, with the focus on adding long-term repairs that increase the overall reliability of production systems, rather than implementing quick-fix solutions. Additionally, the Automation & Controls Specialist will be responsible for assisting in the design of new controls components and integrating with vendor-provided equipment. The Automation & Controls Specialist makes data-driven decisions and is skilled in both hands-on electrical and controls software. This includes servicing and building industrial control panels, robotic and electromechanical controls systems, and PLC, HMI, and SCADA development.

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