Automation and Controls Engineer, Gateways

About the Role

Automation and Controls Engineers at SpaceX's Bastrop site are focused on designing and developing full factory solutions for novel technologies critical to the mission of connecting the unconnected. This role involves leading multi-disciplinary projects across machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring to create innovative, high-rate factories for Starlink.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects, including factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and hand-off to operational teams.
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code, emphasizing organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code for high-volume manufacturing.
• Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment to ensure factory safety and reliability.
• Generate simple HMI screens for easy understanding, operation, and troubleshooting of complex machines.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations.
• Create schedules and budgets and motivate teams to achieve them.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline.
• Experience with at least one of the following disciplines:
• Mechanical:
• Machine design focused on speed, reliability, maintainability, and safety.
• Motion system sizing and implementation (gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection and integration).
• Fundamental structures hand calculations for strength and stiffness.
• CAD and product lifecycle management programs (Siemens NX and Teamcenter preferred) for detailed designs and drawing packages using geometric dimensioning and tolerancing.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and designing for manufacturability.
• Exposure to production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters).
• Electrical:
• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, and other motion systems.
• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems with tools like multimeters and oscilloscopes.
• 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 safety considerations.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes and control system safety standards.
• Industrial Software:
• PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text programming.
• Programming and implementing machine safety software via safety PLCs.
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems for user-friendly navigation and machine health monitoring/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 safe checkout.

Qualifications

• Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role.
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to make collaborative and cross-functional plans and recommendations.
• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements.

Additional Requirements

• 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 eligible to obtain U.S. Department of State authorizations.