Automation & Controls Engineer, Launch Hardware Production (Starship)

• ◆Design, build, and commission the controls for a 24-lane Gigabay: production tooling, lifts, fixtures, factory services, and the data layer the floor uses.
• ◆Bring industrial air separation units online and keep them running. Own the instrumentation, interlocks, and control narratives for compression, cold box, distillation, storage, and transfer into the propellant farms.
• ◆Own controls for heat shield tile manufacturing: thermal process equipment, material handling, inspection, and the data that ties process settings to tile quality.
• ◆Stand up new equipment from first power-on through rate production, then own uptime once it is live.
• ◆Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems as the factory, the air separation plant, and the tile line change.
• ◆Maintain the operational capability of control-voltage ( BASIC

• ✓Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, or computer engineering.
• ✓6+ months of experience working with data acquisition systems (internship or project experience qualifies).

• ✓Demonstrated ability to design, implement, commission, and troubleshoot industrial control and data acquisition hardware.
• ✓Hands-on PLC and industrial network experience: Modbus, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, or equivalent.
• ✓Experience commissioning process or factory equipment and supporting it after it is in production.
• ✓Working knowledge of instrumentation in classified and cryogenic service (NFPA 70, NFPA 70E; Class I, Division 1 and Division 2, or IEC equivalent).
• ✓Fundamental understanding of the equipment behind a plant: sensors, valves, drives, analyzers, power distribution, grounding, and signal integrity.
• ✓Familiarity with mixed-signal electronics, schematic capture, and PCB design, verification, or validation where custom hardware is the right answer.
• ✓First-hand programming experience beyond ladder: enough software to move data out of a controller and into a tool the factory can use.
• ✓Knowledge of high-reliability build, test, and documentation practices.
• ✓Excellent written and verbal communication. You will write the narrative, then go stand at the panel with the technician.
• ✓Strong work ethic, a bias for finishing, and the ability to change roles quickly in a high-paced environment.
• ✓Ability to drive work with incomplete information and to keep several systems moving at once.
• ✓Passion for making the hardware that makes flight rate possible.

• ✓Ability to pass an Air Force background check for Cape Canaveral.
• ✓Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting, and working in cramped positions and small openings.
• ✓Ability to climb stairs and ladders regularly throughout the day.
• ✓Ability to lift lightweight supplies or materials (up to 25 lb unassisted).
• ✓Available to work extended hours and weekends when commissioning or production needs it.
• ✓Work performed around fumes, odors, flashing lights, heat, cold, and noise.
• ✓Ability to travel to other SpaceX or third-party facilities (up to 25%).

ITAR

• ✓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 .

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 .