Sr. Automation and Controls Engineer, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX • Redmond, WA

2h • $135,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the Starlink Tooling and Automation team, you will work with elite engineers on high-impact applications to create the factory of the future for high-volume satellite production that will maximize Starlink’s impact around the globe and beyond. Automation and Controls Engineers in our Redmond facility are hyper-focused on delivering manufacturing solutions capable of producing cutting-edge satellites by the thousands. As a senior member of this team, you will lead creative, multi-disciplinary projects spanning machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring that all come together to form the innovative, high-rate factories that allow us to deliver internet to those that need it most.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 5+ years of total experience in industrial or factory automation design and implementation OR 5+ years of experience designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated systems or products

Nice To Haves

• Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation stages
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to make plans and directional recommendations collaboratively and cross-functionally
• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe
• Experience with at least one of the specific disciplines listed below. The ideal candidate is interested in learning at least the fundamentals of the other areas they are not yet strong in.
• Mechanical: Machine design with focus on speed, reliability, maintainability, and safety
• Motion system sizing and implementation (gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection and integration, etc.)
• Fundamental structures hand calculations and ability to design for strength and stiffness
• CAD and product lifecycle management programs to generate detailed designs and drawing packages utilizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, preferred Siemens NX and Teamcenter
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how to design for manufacturability
• Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)
• Electrical: Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFD’s, motor starters, various other motion systems
• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using both safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes
• Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards
• Industrial Software: PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text programming
• Programming and implementing machine safety software through the use of safety PLC’s
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus on user friendly navigation and machine health monitoring and control
• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferably EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Robotics programming, preferably ABB
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning and proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications
• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
• Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

Benefits

• 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
• access to a 401(k) retirement plan
• short and long-term disability insurance
• life insurance
• paid parental leave
• various other discounts and perks
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 10 or more paid holidays per year
• paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law (Washington State)
• Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday

What This Job Offers

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