Automation & Controls Engineer, PCB (Starlink/Starmind)

SpaceX • Bastrop, TX

1d

About The Position

SpaceX is seeking a PCB Automation and Controls Engineer for its Starlink/StarMind PCB team. The team is scaling advanced printed circuit board manufacturing to support production of next-generation consumer devices. In this role, you will design, build, and optimize controls and automation systems for PCB manufacturing equipment and material movement mechanisms. The position involves safe electrical design, robust control-code development, ownership and optimization of existing systems, and development of new equipment, with a focus on minimizing risk and maximizing factory efficiency.

You will manage automation projects from factory ideation through machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and hand-off to operational teams. You will also develop maintainable PLC code, implement compliant safety systems, create operator-friendly HMI screens, integrate equipment with SCADA and MES, and design electrical systems in accordance with applicable codes and standards. The role calls for cross-functional collaboration, planning and budgeting, and support of critical milestones, including long hours and weekends as necessary.

To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must meet the stated U.S. person or authorization eligibility requirements. SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides a process for requesting reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a chemical discipline.
• At least 1 year of experience with high-speed manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming.
• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in engineering, physics, or a chemical discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience with high-speed manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming.
• Enthusiasm for a quick, iterative design and manufacturing role.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions during design and implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaboratively make plans and directional recommendations across functions.
• Ability to develop creative approaches while adhering to ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA safety requirements.
• Hazardous-process expertise in aerospace, oil and gas, or chemical industries involving high-pressure or hazardous fluid or gas systems.
• Experience in at least one electrical/industrial controls or industrial software discipline, with interest in learning the fundamentals of other areas.
• Electrical/industrial controls experience such as electrical sizing of motors, valves, pneumatics, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, and other motion systems.
• Experience designing fail-safe electrical circuits using safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems using tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and EMI probes.
• Ability to understand and create electrical schematics and single-line diagrams; EPLAN preferred.
• Experience with fieldbus networks, serial communication, Profinet, and Ethernet communications.
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning electrical panels and electromechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, and UL 508A codes and ability to ensure compliance with control-system safety standards.
• Industrial software experience, including PLC programming; Siemens TIA Portal or Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text and ladder preferred.
• Experience with HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), or Ignition systems, focused on user-friendly navigation and machine health monitoring and control.
• Knowledge of fieldbus networking protocols; EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, and Ethernet/IP preferred.
• Robotics programming experience; ABB preferred.
• Experience applying industrial software to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, and pneumatics/hydraulics, including safely checking out interdisciplinary systems before production implementation.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects from initial factory ideation through machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and hand-off to operational teams.
• Architect, write, and debug organized, documented, maintainable, and reusable PLC code for high-volume manufacturing applications.
• Implement ANSI/RIA 15.06- and OSHA-compliant safety systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment.
• Generate simple, user-friendly HMI screens that make complex machines easier to understand, operate, and troubleshoot.
• Integrate individual equipment pieces into master SCADA and MES systems.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL 508A regulations.
• Create schedules and budgets, stay organized, and motivate the team to meet them.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level