Automation and Controls Engineer, Gateways (Starlink)

Location: Bastrop, TX

Department: Starlink Gateway Engineering

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLS ENGINEER, GATEWAYS (STARLINK)  

At SpaceX we’re leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world’s most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world’s largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system – thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We’ve only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink’s potential global impact and are looking for best-in-class engineers to help maximize Starlink’s utility for communities and businesses around the globe. 

One key component of SpaceX’s success so far is our commitment to keeping all engineering and production in-house, which enables a tight feedback loop, nimble decision making, and speedy deliverables. Automation and Controls Engineers at our Bastrop site are hyper-focused on designing and developing full factory solutions for novel technologies that are critical to our mission of connecting the unconnected. As a member of this team, you will lead creative, multi-disciplinary projects spanning machine design, robotics, motion systems, and factory health monitoring that all come together to form the innovative, high-rate factories that allow us to deliver internet to those that need it most.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, and proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams  
• 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/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment 
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot 
• Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations 
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline  

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:  

• 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 written and verbal communication skills, 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/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe 
• Experience with at least one 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

Mechanical:  

• Machine design with focus on speed, reliability, maintainability, and safety  
• Motion system sizing and implementation (gantries, robotics, conveyance, motors, actuators, pneumatics/hydraulics, sensor selection and integration, etc.)  
• Fundamental structures hand calculations and ability to design for strength and stiffness  
• CAD and product lifecycle management programs to generate detailed designs and drawing packages utilizing geometric dimensioning and tolerancing, preferred Siemens NX and Teamcenter  
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes and how to design for manufacturability 
• Exposure to some variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (motion systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, injection molders, die casters, etc.)  

Electrical:  

• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFDs, 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 and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred) 
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication 
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind 
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, UL508A codes with ability to ensure compliance with control system safety standards  

Industrial Software:  

• PLC programming, preferably Beckhoff TwinCAT structured text programming  
• Programming and implementing machine safety software through the use of safety PLC’s  
• HMI, SCADA, IoT (MQTT, OPC-UA), ignition systems with focus on user friendly navigation and machine health monitoring and control  
• Field Bus Networking protocols, preferably EtherCAT, Profinet, Profisafe, Ethernet/IP  
• Robotics programming, preferably ABB 
• Industrial software application to mechanical assemblies, electrical systems, sensors, pneumatics/hydraulics, including how to safely checkout these interdisciplinary systems prior to production implementation  

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

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