Automation & Controls Engineer (Starlink Optical Products)

SpaceX•Redmond, WA

About The Position

SpaceX is hiring an Automation & Controls Engineer for the Starlink Optical Payloads Integration & Test team. The role focuses on automating production lines for optical payloads, including inter-satellite lasers, optical transceivers, and star trackers. The engineer will help develop high-volume manufacturing capabilities for optical payload production, from initial project ideation through production implementation. The role spans machine design, robotics, manufacturing processes, control systems, machine vision, factory performance tracking, user interfaces, and electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics. It also includes implementing systems that meet applicable industrial safety standards. Candidates must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, or another STEM discipline.
At least 1 year of experience designing and commissioning automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment; internships and project work are applicable.
Willingness to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed.
Must meet U.S. Government export-control eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Nice To Haves

Ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions and little supervision.
Ability and desire to learn quickly and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Hands-on experience in at least one relevant discipline and interest in learning other areas.
Experience with industrial automation hardware, such as PLCs, COTS robots, servo motion, machine vision, distributed I/O, or pneumatic controls.
Experience with fieldbus networking protocols such as EtherCAT, PROFINET, Ethernet/IP, or Modbus TCP/RTU.
Experience with machinery or processes such as dispensing, pick and place, fastener installation, automated bonding, thermo-compression, soldering, ultrasonic welding, temperature and position control, injection molding, or die casting.
Experience applying Statistical Process Control and data tools such as descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression, or correlation to improve manufacturing processes.
Experience safely testing and commissioning integrated systems.
PLC programming experience, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text, state machines, and applying object-oriented programming to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, and pneumatics or hydraulics.
Robotics programming experience, preferably ABB Rapid.
Experience with HMI, SCADA, IoT protocols such as MQTT or OPC-UA, SQL, C#, .NET, or Python.
Industrial machine vision experience; Cognex Vision Pro preferred, with Halcon or OpenCV also acceptable.
Experience sizing motors, 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 experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, or EMI probes.
Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single-line diagrams; EPLAN preferred.
Knowledge of analog signal integrity and EMI reduction.
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.

Responsibilities

Design, build, qualify, and implement projects involving machine design, robotics, and manufacturing processes from ideation through production use.
Architect, write, and debug PLC code.
Implement vision systems for robotic guidance, quality control, and data collection.
Design systems to control processes, track factory performance, and collaborate across teams to improve manufacturing efficiency using data.
Design user interfaces that make complex machines easy to use and troubleshoot.
Create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics for control panels.
Implement factory systems compliant with ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA requirements.

Benefits

Potential long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
Potential discretionary bonuses.
Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage.
401(k) retirement plan.
Short- and long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance.
Paid parental leave.
Various other discounts and perks.
Accrual of 3 weeks of paid vacation.
Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
Washington State employees accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Company shuttles for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office, Monday to Friday.