Instrumentation & Controls Technician, Solar Cells (Starlink

Bastrop, TX

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.

At SpaceX, we are building the next generation of space infrastructure to enable large-scale AI data centers in orbit. These orbital AI platforms require massive amounts of reliable, high-efficiency solar power, and we are standing up one of the largest solar cell manufacturing facilities in the world. The Instrumentation & Controls Technician will provide hands-on support for the integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of automation and controls systems on our advanced solar cell production lines.

This role focuses on safe, structured execution of repairs and recoveries that maximize uptime, wiring and building industrial control panels, supporting PLC/HMI/SCADA systems, and ensuring reliable operation of electromechanical, robotic, sensor, motion, and process-critical equipment while collaborating closely with Specialists and Engineers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support integration and commissioning of vendor/OEM equipment into centralized SCADA software (Ignition) and production line controls
• Perform safe controls and electrical work within LOTO, arc-flash, guarding, interlock, robot/AGV, bypass-control, and restart-verification requirements; identify hazards, verify zero energy, validate safety devices after repair, and escalate unsafe conditions or unauthorized changes
• Maximize uptime of automation assets through hands-on troubleshooting, basic repairs, and corrective actions on electromechanical, robotic, pneumatic, and control systems
• Wire, commission, validate, build, and maintain industrial control panels and field devices to NFPA 79 & UL 508A standards; replace like-for-like components (power supplies, relays, fuses, terminal blocks, sensors, etc.), restore wiring condition, and create accurate redlines
• Navigate and diagnose PLCs, HMIs, alarms, per missives, sequences, I/O status, recipes, and logic behavior; clear approved alarms, perform basic recovery, capture evidence (screenshots, codes, states), and support minor authorized parameter/recipe adjustments with documentation
• Set up, diagnose, replace, and validate sensors, instrumentation, vision, barcode/RFID, encoders, IO-Link devices, and industrial networks; verify signals, alignment, scaling, and network health
• Support controls for VFDs, servo systems, motion axes, robots, conveyors, AGV/AMR interfaces, and controlled movement; perform documented resets, homing, recovery, and safe dry-cycle checks
• Provide controls support for process-critical solar cell equipment (e.g., deposition, chemical processing, printing, firing, testing, material transfer) and facilities/utility interfaces; protect product quality, recipe state, contamination control, and process stability during recovery
• Perform structured fault finding, root-cause support, and rapid corrective actions to minimize downtime on solar cell manufacturing equipment
• Collaborate with engineers, Instrumentation & Controls Specialists, production, and maintenance teams to deliver safe, reliable solutions and continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate documentation, work tickets, and records; support 5S principles, inventory control, and a clean, organized workspace
• Ensure all work complies with safety protocols, cleanroom standards (as applicable), lock-out/tag-out, and regulatory requirements in a high-volume manufacturing environment

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing and production environment with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Strong working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79, and UL 508A codes
• Demonstrated hands-on skill in fault finding, structured troubleshooting, electrical panel work, multimeter use, schematic reading, and…