Automation & Controls Engineer

About the role

Become a vital member of the Starship production team, where you will be tasked with designing and implementing innovative automated solutions for the manufacturing, transportation, and storage processes. This role is highly interactive and involves both hardware and software development for the Starship production line. Your contributions will play a crucial part in the assembly of the world's most advanced launch vehicle.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define equipment concepts that align with product requirements, process needs, layout considerations, budget constraints, and project timelines.
• Design and develop industrial electrical control panels that comply with NFPA79, NEC, and UL508A standards, while also creating comprehensive electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics.
• Write, debug, and maintain organized, structured, and reusable PLC code tailored for manufacturing applications.
• Develop robotic systems that facilitate the automated production of various components for the vehicle.
• Ensure the implementation of safety systems that adhere to ANSI/RIA15.06 and OSHA standards for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other machinery.
• Create user-friendly HMI screens for complex machinery, providing essential troubleshooting information.
• Supervise the assembly of electrical cabinets, field wiring, and the plumbing of pneumatic and fluid systems.
• Select and size electrical and electromechanical components, including servo motors and controllers, to meet production needs.
• Integrate automated processes and equipment seamlessly into the production environment, enhancing efficiency.
• Oversee project schedules and budgets to ensure that milestones are met on time and within financial constraints.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline is required.
• A minimum of one year of experience in designing and commissioning automation and control systems for industrial applications is essential.

Nice to have

• Experience with process integration and familiarity with electromechanical or mechatronic systems.
• Knowledge of various robotic welding technologies, such as Kuka, ABB, and Fanuc.
• Experience in simulating robots and PLCs.
• Familiarity with National Instruments software and hardware.
• Proficiency in electrical schematic CAD tools, particularly EPlan.
• Programming skills in C#, .NET, Python, or SQL.
• Experience with PLC programming, ideally using Siemens TIA Portal or Beckhoff TwinCat 3.
• Background in HMI and SCADA programming.
• Understanding of field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication protocols.
• Practical experience in building and commissioning high-quality electrical control panels and electro-mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, and UL508A standards.
• Exposure to a variety of production machinery and industrial sensors, including vision systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, and Nut-Runners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in fast-paced, iterative design and manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to tackle complex problems independently or collaboratively, meeting deadlines with minimal oversight.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCat 3)
• HMI/SCADA programming expertise
• CAD proficiency (EPlan)
• Robotics experience (Kuka, ABB, Fanuc)
• Programming languages: C#, .NET, Python, SQL
• Familiarity with National Instruments software and hardware
• Knowledge of field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication

Practical notes

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or asylees, or must be eligible to obtain necessary authorizations in compliance with ITAR regulations. The position may require extended hours or weekend work. Physical requirements include the ability to stand for up to six hours, sit for up to three hours, push or pull loads of up to 50 lbs, reach overhead, walk for up to three hours, lift or carry up to 25 lbs, climb ladders or stairs for up to three hours, kneel or crouch for up to three hours, and twist the upper body for up to three hours. Candidates must be capable of working in temperatures exceeding 80 degrees for up to three hours, at heights of up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, and while using an air-purifying respirator. A pre-employment questionnaire or physical examination may be required to verify these capabilities.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.