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.
AUTOMATION & CONTROLS TECHNICIAN
Join the Starbase infrastructure team at SpaceX to build, install, operate, and maintain instrumentation and controls for critical power, HVAC, utility, and fluids systems supporting launch, production, supercomputer, and power-generation projects. As a technician, you will install and troubleshoot the sensors, valves, wiring, and control systems that run them, working from the field device through the PLC and SCADA. The role is based at Starbase, TX, with potential travel to other SpaceX facilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Install, configure, operate, and maintain instrumentation, automation, control, and SCADA systems for the infrastructure, utility, and fluids systems
Fabricate and install fluid-system components from schematics and drawings, including stainless and aluminum piping, ball and check valves, pressure regulators, and sensors and gauges
Connect, verify, calibrate, and troubleshoot pressure transducers, thermocouples, and other sensors, and complete the wiring of electrical ground support equipment
Configure and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications in a high-reliability production and launch environment
Update, redline, and troubleshoot electrical and pneumatic schematics (EPLAN, Schematics, and similar)
Assemble and wire industrial control panels to NFPA 79 / NEC / UL 508A, and install power-system controls in line with NFPA 70, 70B, 70E, NESC, and IEEE
Perform high-pressure liquid and pneumatic testing, and repair high-urgency issues found during activation or production use
Support controls upgrades, commissioning, testing, hand-off, and training as systems scale
Read and interpret drawings, data sheets, BOMs, and engineering sketches, and keep SCADA and as-built documentation current
Give engineers practical feedback on how systems will be operated and maintained
Write short work instructions from drawings and requirements
Support SOWs and contractor work so the in-house team can keep pace
Train junior technicians on instrumentation and controls tasks
Plan and finish weekly work with minimal impact to operating systems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalency certificate
1+ years hands-on installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining instrumentation, automation, or controls systems
1+ years using mechanical and/or electronics hand tools, including work from schematics on piping, valves, sensors, or control wiring
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
3+ years in industrial instrumentation, automation, controls, or fluid systems
Experience maintaining and troubleshooting complex fluid and mechanical systems
Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic system fabrication
Experience with orbital or structural welding
Professional experience with calibrated measuring instruments
Experience using heavy equipment, including but not limited to, overhead cranes, forklifts and manlifts
Relevant certifications (e.g., ISA CCST, NICET, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens)
Experience designing/developing HMI applications with Ignition
Familiar with SEL, Allen Bradley and Siemens suite of control devices
Experience deploying and troubleshooting server/client SCADA applications
Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC schematics, and bills of materials
Experience implementing control logic schemes (e.g., ladder logic) and basic network configurations
Experience with IEC-61131 programming (ladder logic, structured text)
Experience with IT/OT network troubleshooting
Familiarity with industrial communications protocols: Modbus, IEEE C37.115, IEEE C37.111, DNP3, etc.
Experience with electrical schematic CAD tools (EPLAN, AutoCAD, etc.)
Experience with C#, .NET, Python, and/or SQL for scripting and…