Automation & Controls Engineer; Raptor Manufacturing Systems

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.

As an Automation & Controls Engineer for 3D additive printers supporting Raptor, you will be directly responsible for the design, integration, wiring, and commissioning of safety logic and motion-controlled systems. As a member of this team, you will play a critical role in delivering these advanced printers at the scale required to meet Starship’s production rate goals and enable humans to reach the Moon, Mars, & beyond.

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial design ideation, machine commissioning and proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams
• Develop training programs for technicians and engineers
• 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
• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA
  15.06/OSHA compliant systems
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations
• Troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics, and electrical components issues on an aggressive production schedule.
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science or STEM discipline
• 1+ years of experience in industrial or factory automation design and commissioning

• Excited by a quick and iterative design and manufacturing role
• Proven ability to solve complex problems with simple solutions in both design and implementation stages
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to make plans and directional recommendations collaboratively and cross-functionally
• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA
  15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe

Experience with at least two of the specific disciplines listed below. The ideal candidate is interested in learning at least the fundamentals of the other areas they are not yet strong in.

• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFD’s, motor starters, various other motion systems
• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using both safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes
• Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics (EPLAN preferred)
• Familiar with Fieldbus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication preferably Modbus TCP, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP
• Hands‑on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro‑mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
• Knowledge of NEC, IEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, root cause, and repair electronics and electrical component issues on aggressive production schedules, with a track record of driving design or process improvements to prevent recurrence
• Proficiency with electrical test equipment, including multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, logic analyzers, and spectrum analyzers
• Experience designing analog, digital, and mixed‑signal circuits
• Experience with analog signal chains, signal conditioning circuits, or hardware filter design
• Experience with Ethernet, network switches, microcontrollers, FPGAs, memory devices, or general networking concepts
• Experience with digital signal processing, analog control loops, or control loop stability analysis
• Experience with schematic capture and PCB layout software…