Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

SpaceX

Confirmed live 2 days ago Trusted

Quick summary

Work type: On-site
Location: Hawthorne, CA
Salary: $130,000–$180,000 / yr
Posted: 115 days ago
Freshness: Confirmed live 2 days ago
Nearby: 99+ roles within 25 mi

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Salary context

Competitive pay

How this pay compares to similar roles

Similar $161k

This role $155k

$122k most similar roles pay here $202k

This role pays less than 56% of similar roles. Most pay $133,175–$188,990 — the shaded band above. At the midpoint, this role pays about $155k versus about $161k for comparable roles.

Based on 240 similar postings.

Employer

About SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft with the mission of enabling humans to become a multi-planetary species. It operates the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, as well as the Starlink satellite internet constellation.

SpaceX currently has 680 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $130,000–$165,000 across 442 roles with salary data.

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At a glance

TL;DR · Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

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Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components) joins the team to develop and build automated solutions for Starship production. This role involves designing, building, and activating hardware and software systems for manufacturing machines and machining lines. Key responsibilities include conceptualizing equipment, laying out industrial electrical control panels compliant with NFPA79/NEC/UL508A, creating pneumatic and fluid schematics, and writing structured PLC code. The engineer will develop robot systems for sub-component manufacturing, implement safety systems for gantries and conveyors, and create HMI screens. Required skills include experience with Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCat 3, National Instruments hardware, EPlan CAD, C#, .NET, Python, and SQL. The role focuses on the production of Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster components, solving complex manufacturing challenges through automated processes, field bus networks, and various industrial sensors like vision systems and temperature controllers.

Skills

PLC Siemens TIA Portal Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 HMI SCADA Python C# .NET SQL National Instruments EPlan Kuka ABB Fanuc Ethernet Field bus mechatronic s

What you'll do

Design and develop automated solutions for Starship production and machining lines.
Architect, write, and debug structured PLC code for manufacturing applications.
Develop robot systems to automate the manufacturing of vehicle sub-components.
Implement compliant safety systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other machinery.
Create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics for industrial control panels.
Select and size electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers.
Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, and pneumatic/fluid plumbing.
Design HMI screens to provide feedback for troubleshooting complex machinery.

What we're looking for

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science.
5+ years of experience in designing and commissioning automation and controls systems for industrial applications.
Experience with PLC programming, preferably using Siemens TIA Portal and Beckhoff TwinCat 3.
Proficiency in HMI/SCADA programming and developing aesthetically simple screens for complex machinery.
Expertise in electrical schematic CAD (EPlan) and knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, and UL508A codes.
Experience with robot systems (Kuka, ABB, Fanuc), industrial sensors, and mechatronic systems.
Proficiency in C#, .NET, Python, or SQL for automation applications.
Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible for required export control authorizations.

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