Controls Technician

SpaceX · Starbase, TX

Level: Technician
Team: Controls
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Aerospace & defense
Posted: 10 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A technician-level controls role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Starbase, TX. Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: Welding
Openings: 2 with this title at this site

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 26 other live controls postings in Texas.

Experience asked: Typical (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.

It asks for 3+ 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 50 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
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?
- 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 Starbase

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Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

◆Perform complex technical assignments involving instrumentation and data acquisition/processing systems
◆Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems
◆Investigate, diagnose, correct, and document instrumentation or system malfunctions
◆Analyze results of calibrations and processed data, and assist in the interpretation of test data
◆Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment
◆Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electrical and electronic units, assemblies, components, parts, equipment, and systems
◆Configure the data acquisition hardware
◆Perform wire terminations to a variety of instruments and verify sensor health: pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, limits, and flow meters
◆Install connectors, connector pins, terminals, and lugs
◆Perform continuity checks, locate and correct wiring errors using measuring instruments such as ohmmeters and sequential continuity checkers
◆Adjust, calibrate, align, and modify circuitry and components, and record effects on unit performance
◆Read and interpret planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
◆Perform layout and wiring of electrical panels
◆Collaborate with design engineers to troubleshoot failures and issues derived from test data
◆Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

Qualifications

✓Associate degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems, or other electrical field (3+ years of professional experience working with controls or electrical systems will be considered in lieu of a degree)
✓2+ years of experience working with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, flow meters, multimeters, or oscilloscopes

Preferred skills and experience

✓Experience working with any of the following instrumentation: resistance temperature devices (RTDs), silicon diode temperature devices, strain gauges, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouple, and flow meters (turbine, coriolis, and ultrasonic)
✓Basic knowledge of Wheatstone bridge theory, ability to apply Ohm's law, and an understanding of direct current (DC) electronics
✓Operational knowledge of an oscilloscope and multi-meter, soldering wires and connectors, operation of various crimping tools, wire stripping, continuity testing, pinning out a military type connector, routing and tie wrapping cables, drilling and tapping holes, and building junction boxes
✓System-level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action
✓Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor starters, and knowledge in troubleshooting
✓Knowledge in signal conditioning concepts for various types of sensors, to include the following: thermocouple Types K, S, and E; TC bonding concepts: resistance weld on and adhesive bond on types; TC probes through thermowell sheaths; cold junction compensation concepts
✓Background should include experience with the following devices: DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) installations, heat shrink tubing, cable harnessing, lacing, and proper strain relief concepts
✓Working knowledge of transducers, operational amplifiers, and the knowledge of measurement techniques for temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, vibration, and the application of strain gauges is also highly desired. Ability to identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, and set up equipment to conform to these specifications
✓Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)/Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe), PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI)/PXI Express (PXIe), General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), Serial, Universal Serial Bus (USB), etc.) and data communication technologies
✓Demonstrated capabilities in the development of comprehensive project plans that include all tasks, stage/gate milestones, and reviews necessary to successfully develop and implement solutions
✓Intermediate skill level using Windows Operating Systems
✓Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote)
✓Knowledge in data acquisition concepts, hardware, and interfacing (Signal Conditioning eXtensions for Instrumentation (SCXI) and PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) based)

Requirements

✓Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain
✓Must be available for overtime and weekends as the schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility is required
✓Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
✓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/st

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.