Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Asset Engineering)
SpaceX · Hawthorne, CA
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $135k–$215k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at SpaceX (aerospace & defense) in Hawthorne, CA. Lead the design and development of complex in-house automated manufacturing and test systems from concept to production, specifically owning electrical and software design.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation, Tooling
- Base pay
- $135k–$215k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
- Openings
- 3 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$180k. This one lists $135k–$215k.
Median of the low and high ends of 56 live postings that list pay, out of 113 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 112 other live controls postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 16% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $123k–$179k, from 53 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 68%
- ✓ PLC 46%
- ✓ Robotics 42%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 37%
- ✓ Python 35%
- ✓ Root cause 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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
66 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in controls roles at SpaceX.
- Field Operations Manager, Starlink · Production · Manager
- Tooling Engineer, Starship Components (Materials Engineering) · Manufacturing
- Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities) · Controls
- Lead Hardware Reliability Engineer (Starshield) · Reliability · Manager
- Lead Operations Engineer · Production · Manager
- Environmental & Thermal Control Engineer (Dragon) · Controls
Full description from SpaceXAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead the design and development of complex in-house automated manufacturing and test systems from concept to production, specifically owning electrical and software design.
- ◆Design and develop motion control and robotic systems to solve manufacturing and test needs
- ◆Write and maintain machine automation software that is concise and well documented.
- ◆Develop simple UI / HMIs that make machines easy to understand, operate and troubleshoot
- ◆Design electrical and pneumatic systems to be used in manufacturing environments
- ◆Manage the build, integration, testing and validation of electrical and fluidic systems
- ◆Architect and implement the integration of manufacturing machinery into SCADA and MES systems
- ◆Provide expert support of existing automation systems and work with partner teams to correct root causes
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, computer science or other engineering discipline
- ✓5+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation
- ✓5+ years of experience in designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated system products
Preferred skills and experience
- ✓Ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions at both the design and implementation steps
- ✓Strong experience developing software to automate electro-mechanical systems
- ✓Experience with design, programming and commissioning of industrial robotic systems (e.g. Kuka, ABB, or Fanuc)
- ✓Experience with PLC programming in SCL with Beckhoff TwinCat 3 or Siemens TIA Portal
- ✓Experience with Python, C#, C++, or similar high level programming languages
- ✓Experience developing machine vision systems for inspection applications
- ✓Strong electrical knowledge and experience troubleshooting electrical systems using tools like multimeters and oscilloscopes
- ✓Experience configuring and debugging networks and fieldbus systems
- ✓Experience with motion system sizing and implementation (gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection/integration, etc.)
- ✓Familiarity with industry standards such as IEC, NFPA, NEC
Requirements
- ✓Physical effort including standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 30 lbs. unassisted
- ✓Must be available to work extended hours and some weekends
requirements
of the law.
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.
Sr. automation & controls engineer (asset engineering)
The Asset Engineering team is dedicated to developing the factory machines, tooling, and systems required to manufacture some of the most advanced hardware on the planet. With vertically integrated teams of mechanical, automation, and fluids engineers, the group solves SpaceX's most difficult manufacturing challenges, owning the solutions from design concept though high-rate production ramps.
As a Sr. Automation and Controls Engineer, you will be directly responsible for the design, build, and integration of automated machinery that manufactures and tests Starship and Starshield hardware. You will join a highly talented interdisciplinary team of engineers and technicians working to ensure the Hawthorne factory unlocks its full capability.
Pay Range
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00
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 or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use