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Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities)

Location
Hawthorne, CA
Compensation
$100k–$135k/yr
Level
mid
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 4 months ago

First seen on Joblaze 4 months ago

Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago

Requirements

Experience
1+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree
Visa
Sponsorship available

Benefits

401k Match Paid Vacation Paid Sick Leave Equity/Stock Options Paid Holidays Health Insurance Parental Leave

Joblaze summary

In this role, the Automation & Controls Engineer will focus on designing and implementing advanced automated systems for manufacturing facilities, ensuring efficient production and asset management. Key skills include expertise in PLC programming, electrical schematics, and experience with automation tools like ABB Robotstudio and Siemens TIA Portal. This position is ideal for engineers with a background in industrial automation and a proven track record in system design and troubleshooting. The team operates in a fast-paced environment, contributing to SpaceX's mission of advancing space exploration.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed about 4 months ago — first seen on Joblaze May 14, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page October 7, 2026.
  • Salary band is below the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$128,800).
  • Starts above 10% of 307 comparable mid other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $113,000 across 61 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 17.2% of 3011 comparable mid other roles in United States; Siemens TIA Portal appears in 0.1% of 3011 comparable mid other roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities) role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $100,000–$135,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 1 year of relevant experience for this Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities) role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: ABB Robotstudio, Beckhoff TwinCat 3, C++, EPlan, HMI, Kuka Sim.
Does SpaceX sponsor work visas for this role?
Yes — the posting indicates visa sponsorship is available for the right candidate.
What seniority level is this role?
SpaceX targets mid-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Automation & Controls Engineer (Facilities) role at SpaceX.

From the original posting

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 ENGINEER (FACILITIES)

As a member of the critical infrastructure team, you will design, build, and activate some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing facilities. As an automation & controls engineer, you will develop and build a great variety of automated solutions to aid in rapid R&D, production and critical asset management. The automation & control team designs, builds, and commissions complete control systems from the ground up. We are looking for talent with an amazing track record in developing, troubleshooting, and maintaining control systems for production and critical infrastructure. This position is based in Hawthorne, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Participate in initial equipment conceptual development and carefully balance product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time limits
  • Lay out new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant, and create electrical, pneumatic and fluid schematics
  • Simulate processes to inform design engineers of the conceptual viability of automation proposals (tools include ABB Robotstudio, Kuka Sim, and Siemens Process Simulate)
  • Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for manufacturing applications
  • Generate aesthetically simple screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting
  • Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic, and fluid plumbing
  • Select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers
  • Deploy automated processes and equipment into production
  • Set, implement, and maintain schedules and budgets to ensure project completion

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline
  • 1+ years of professional experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Knowledge in building automation systems for critical infrastructure
  • Mechanical (HVAC) controls and wiring, Delta controls
  • Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience
  • Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan
  • C#, .NET, python and/or SQL experience
  • PLC programming experience, preferably Siemens TIA Portal and Beckhoff TwinCat 3
  • HMI and SCADA programming experience
  • Field bus networks, serial communication and Ethernet communication
  • Hands-on experience building and commissioning high quality electrical control panels and electro-mechanical systems
  • Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL508A codes
  • Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (vision systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors & Nut-Runners, etc.)
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
  • Experience in fast-paced iterative design and manufacturing environments
  • Experience solving complex problems with little to no supervision on schedule as an individual or as a member of an integrated team

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed
  • Must be willing to travel to other locations

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay range:

Automation & Controls Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00/per year
Automation & Controls Engineer/Level 2: $110,000.00 - $135,000.00/per year

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

Standard company text repeated across SpaceX's postings is omitted here.

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