Automation & Controls Engineer, PCB (Starlink/Starmind) Verified today
Automation & Controls Engineer, PCB (Starlink/Starmind)
SpaceX is scaling production of printed circuit boards that form the backbone of Starlink consumer-facing devices shipped worldwide. The PCB team is revolutionizing power generation for space applications through advanced manufacturing. As a PCB Automation and Controls Engineer, you will design, build, and optimize controls and automation systems for production equipment and material movement mechanisms. This role demands detail-oriented engineering, safe electrical design, robust control code, and total ownership of systems for optimization and novel equipment development.
Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and manage automation projects from initial factory ideation through machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and handoff to operational teams
- Architect, write, and debug PLC code emphasizing organization, structure, documentation, maintainability, and reusability for high-volume manufacturing
- Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
- Generate simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to operate and troubleshoot
- Integrate individual equipment into master SCADA and MES systems
- Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A regulations
- Create schedules and budgets, and motivate the team to achieve them
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or chemical discipline
- 1+ years of experience with high-speed manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master's degree in engineering, physics, or chemical discipline
- 3+ years of experience with high-speed manufacturing, controls and automation, and/or programming
- Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in design and implementation
- Excellent written and verbal communication with cross-functional collaboration ability
- Experience engineering creative approaches while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements
- Hazardous process expertise in aerospace, oil and gas, or chemical industry with high-pressure or hazardous fluid/gas systems
Electrical and Industrial Controls
- Electrical sizing of motors, valves, pneumatics, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, and motion systems
- Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays
- Hands-on troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems using multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes
- Proficiency in electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred)
- Field bus networks, serial communication, Profinet, and Ethernet communications
- Design and commissioning of high-quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with safety considerations
- Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes and control system safety standards compliance
Industrial Software
- PLC programming, preferably Siemens TIA Portal or Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text and ladder
- HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), Ignition systems with focus on user-friendly navigation and machine health monitoring
- Field bus networking protocols, preferably EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
- Robotics programming, preferably ABB
- Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, and pneumatics/hydraulics with pre-production system checkout
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 under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State