Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer, Insource Manufacturing (Starlink)

SpaceX
Bastrop, US
On-site

Who this role is best for

Best suited to mid-level automation engineers with industrial controls experience who thrive in high-rate production environments.

Best fit for

  • Industrial automation experts with PLC and HMI programming experience
    — “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
  • Safety-focused engineers experienced in ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems
    — “Own safety strategy and planning. Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems
  • Candidates with hands-on electrical panel build and commissioning experience
    — “Hands-on experience building and commissioning high quality electrical control panels and electro-mechanical systems

Things to consider

  • Requires willingness to work long hours and weekends
    — “Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as necessary
  • 10% travel commitment expected
    — “Must be willing to travel up to 10%
  • Physical demands include standing/walking for long periods
    — “Standing/walking for long periods of time

How to stand out

  • Demonstrate experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT or Siemens TIA Portal
    — “PLC programming experience, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT or Siemens TIA Portal
  • Highlight robot programming skills, especially ABB
    — “Robot programming experience, preferably ABB
  • Showcase data analysis tool development experience
    — “Experience with developing and deploying tools used for data analysis
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Senior

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Successfully implemented automation projects
  • Managed specifications, cost, lead-time, installation, and commissioning of new equipment
Typical background
Bachelor's degree in engineering5+ years of experience in industrial automation

Skills & requirements

Required

PLC ProgrammingHMI And Scada ProgrammingRobot ProgrammingField Bus NetworksElectrical Systems Design

Preferred

C#PythonSQL

Stack & domain

PythonReactC#.netSQLPlc ProgrammingHmi And Scada ProgrammingField Bus NetworksSerial CommunicationEthernet Communication3d CadIndustrial Software ApplicationLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkManufacturingEngineeringSafetyAutomation

About the role

Original posting from SpaceX via Greenhouse

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

SR. AUTOMATION AND CONTROLS ENGINEER, INSOURCE MANUFACTURING (STARLINK) 

SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable. 

As a member of the Materials Engineering group, you will develop and implement technologies to support high-volume production, rapid product iteration, and new capabilities at SpaceX. You will work with multiple manufacturing disciplines, including injection molding, high pressure die casting, stamping, and mold manufacturing. A strong focus on safety is required, ensuring that all technologies and processes meet the highest safety standards. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design engineering, manufacturing, and operations. Having an open mindset, challenging requirements, and using engineering fundamentals are essential in this role. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Design, develop, and manage automation projects 

Manage specifications, cost, lead-time, installation, and commissioning of new equipment

Own safety strategy and planning. Implement ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems

Collaborate with and challenge mechanical designers and manufacturing engineers to create system requirements and architecture

Create and maintain equipment documentation and drawings to enable hand-off to operational teams

Debug, root-cause, and make continuous improvements of equipment in a high-rate production environment

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  

Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot

Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations

Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic and fluid plumbing 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline

5+ years of experience in the design and commissioning of controls systems for industrial applications 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience

Robot programming experience, preferably ABB

C#, .NET, python and/or SQL experience

PLC programming experience, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT or Siemens TIA Portal

HMI and SCADA programming experience, preferably Ignition or Beckhoff TwinCAT HMI

Field bus networks, serial communication and Ethernet communication  

Knowledge of NEC, UL508A codes

Experience with 3D CAD, preferably Siemens NX

Exposure to a wide variety of industrial machinery

Experience in fast-paced iterative design and test environments

Experience automating the aggregation of metrics into dashboards and alerting systems

Experience with developing and deploying tools used for data analysis

Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation

Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan

Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, motor starters, and other motion systems

Hands-on experience building and commissioning high quality electrical control panels and electro-mechanical systems 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

Must be willing to travel up to 10%

Standing/walking for long periods of time

Must be willing to work long hours and weekends as necessary to accommodate manufacturing and test campaigns 

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.  

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com. 

Source: SpaceX careers (Greenhouse)

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