Automation & Controls Engineer, Solar Cell Factory (Starlink) Verified today

About the role

As an Automation and Controls Engineer on the Solar Cell Factory team, you will design, build, and optimize controls and automation systems for solar cell manufacturing equipment and material movement mechanisms. The Solar Cell team is revolutionizing power generation for space applications by scaling production of high-efficiency solar cells to support Starlink constellations, launch vehicles, and beyond.

You will take total ownership of automation projects from factory ideation through machine commissioning and hand-off to operations. This is a detail-oriented role requiring passion for safe electrical design, robust control code, and risk minimization in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment.

What you will do

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects including initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and hand-off to operational teams
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing
• Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Design simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
• Integrate equipment into master SCADA and MES systems
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A regulations
• Create schedules and budgets, then lead 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 (internship and extracurricular experience counts)

Preferred skills and experience

• Excited by quick and iterative design and manufacturing cycles
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in design and implementation
• Excellent written and verbal communication with collaborative, cross-functional delivery
• Experience engineering creative approaches to problems 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 systems for fluids or gases

Electrical and Industrial Controls experience

• 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

Industrial Software experience

• 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, pneumatics and hydraulics, including safe system checkout prior to production

Additional requirements

• Ability to work long hours and weekends as necessary to support critical milestones

ITAR eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, you 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 be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.