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Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components)

Join SpaceX as a Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer to develop automated solutions for Starship Production.

Location
Hawthorne, CA, United States
Compensation
$135k–$215k/yr
Level
senior
Type
full time · On-site

Posted by employer 1 day ago

First seen on Joblaze 2 hours ago

Last verified on the company career page 2 hours ago

What you'll build

  • Design and activate hardware and software systems for Starship production
  • Lay out new industrial electrical control panels
  • Architect, write, and debug PLC code
  • Develop robot systems for automated manufacturing
  • Manage electrical cabinet builds and field wiring

Must have

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science
  • 5+ years experience in automation and controls systems design

Nice to have

  • Experience in robotic weld applications
  • Robot and PLC simulation experience
  • Experience with National Instruments software
  • Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan
  • HMI and SCADA programming experience

Practical constraints

  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Requirements

Experience
5+ 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

The Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer at SpaceX focuses on designing and implementing automated solutions for the production of the Starship spacecraft. This role requires expertise in PLC programming, electrical control systems, and robotics, with a strong emphasis on compliance with safety and industry standards. Ideal candidates will have significant experience in automation for industrial applications and a background in engineering or computer science. The position is suited for professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments and can manage complex projects with minimal supervision.

Joblaze insights

  • Listed today — first seen on Joblaze November 14, 2026. Last confirmed on SpaceX's careers page November 14, 2026.
  • This exact title is also open at 1 other location at SpaceX: Hawthorne, CA.
  • Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$130,000).
  • Starts above 23% of 299 comparable senior other roles in United States that list Python we track (median $150,000 across 61 companies). See Python salary trends
  • Python appears in 16.3% of 2718 comparable senior other roles in United States; ABB appears in 0.1% of 2718 comparable senior other roles in United States.

Quick facts

Is the Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components) role remote?
No — this is an on-site role in Hawthorne, CA, United States.
What's the salary range?
SpaceX lists $135,000–$215,000 for this role.
How much experience is required?
At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components) role.
Where is the role based?
SpaceX is hiring for this position in Hawthorne, CA, United States.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: .NET, ABB, C#, EPlan, Fanuc, HMI.
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 senior candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Sr. Automation & Controls Engineer (Components) 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.

SR. AUTOMATION & CONTROLS ENGINEER (COMPONENTS)

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy booster (collectively referred to as Starship) represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world's most powerful launch vehicle ever developed, with the ability to carry in excess of 100 metric tons to Earth orbit. We are looking for an automation & controls engineer to help SpaceX develop and build a great variety of automated solutions for Starship Production. This role will be hands-on in designing and activating hardware and software systems for the machines that make up the Starship production and machining line.

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 that are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant and create electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics
  • Architect, write, and debug PLC code, emphasizing generating organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code for manufacturing applications
  • Develop robot systems to aid in the automated manufacturing of various vehicle sub-components
  • Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
  • Generate aesthetically simple HMI 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, physics, or computer science discipline
  • 5+ years experience in the design and commissioning of automation and controls systems for industrial applications

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems experience
  • Experience in a variety of robotic weld applications (Kuka, ABB & Fanuc)
  • Robot and PLC simulation experience
  • Experience working with National Instruments software and hardware
  • Electrical schematic CAD experience using EPlan
  • C#, .NET, Python and/or SQL experience
  • PLC programming experience, preferably Siemens TIA Portal & 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:

  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Pay Range:
Level 3: $135,000.00 - $215,000.00

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 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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