Controls Technician - 2nd Shift

SpaceX•Brownsville, TX

About The Position

The Controls Technician supports the building and maintenance of data and control systems, including data collection and control hardware, wiring, interface harnesses, and sensors. The data and control systems team works to meet test needs for safe, low-cost, and reliable access to space. This position performs technical work with instrumentation, data acquisition and processing systems, process controls, and electrical systems. The technician configures data acquisition hardware, installs and services sensors and wiring, troubleshoots system problems, analyzes calibration results and processed data, and collaborates with design engineers to resolve issues identified through test data. The typical schedule, excluding overtime, is Monday through Friday, 1:00 PM to 11:30 PM. Overtime and weekend availability are required, with flexibility based on site operational needs. Work may involve extreme outdoor temperatures and exposure to fumes, odors, and noise, as well as heights, confined spaces, and heavy equipment or machinery.

Requirements

Associate degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems, or another electrical field; 3 or more years of professional experience working with controls or electrical systems may be substituted for the degree.
At least 2 years of experience working with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, flow meters, multimeters, or oscilloscopes.
Must be available for overtime and weekends as schedules vary based on site operational needs.
Must be capable of safely working at heights up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and meeting the physical requirements of the job.
Must meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements: be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with resistance temperature devices (RTDs), silicon diode temperature devices, strain gauges, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, and turbine, Coriolis, or ultrasonic flow meters.
Basic knowledge of Wheatstone bridge theory, ability to apply Ohm's law, and understanding of DC electronics.
Operational knowledge of oscilloscopes and multimeters; experience soldering wires and connectors, using crimping tools, stripping wire, continuity testing, pinning out military-type connectors, routing and tie-wrapping cables, drilling and tapping holes, and building junction boxes.
System-level troubleshooting skills and ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action.
Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor starters, including troubleshooting knowledge.
Knowledge of signal conditioning for sensors, including Type K, S, and E thermocouples; thermocouple bonding using resistance weld-on and adhesive bond-on types; thermocouple probes through thermowell sheaths; and cold-junction compensation.
Experience with DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) installations, heat-shrink tubing, cable harnessing, lacing, and strain-relief practices.
Working knowledge of transducers and operational amplifiers, and measurement techniques for temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, vibration, and strain gauges; ability to identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters and configure equipment accordingly.
Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures and data communication technologies, including PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, serial, and USB.
Demonstrated ability to develop comprehensive project plans that include tasks, stage/gate milestones, and reviews needed to develop and implement solutions.
Intermediate skill with Windows operating systems.
Intermediate skill with Microsoft Office, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and OneNote.
Knowledge of data acquisition concepts, hardware, and interfacing, including SCXI- and PXI-based systems.

Responsibilities

Perform complex technical assignments involving instrumentation and data acquisition and 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 calibration results and processed data, and assist in interpreting 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 data acquisition hardware.
Terminate wires to instruments and verify sensor health, including pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, limits, and flow meters.
Install connectors, connector pins, terminals, and lugs.
Perform continuity checks and locate and correct wiring errors using 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.
Lay out and wire electrical panels.
Collaborate with design engineers to troubleshoot failures and issues derived from test data.
Perform other related duties as assigned to help ensure an efficient and effective work environment.