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 SPECIALIST, LAUNCH PAD (STARSHIP)
The Starship Tower & Launch Mount team is looking for controls build specialists to help bring the next generation of launch pads to life. This role bridges the gap between detailed design and activations by developing plans for installing conveyances and pulling cables, building a healthy supply chain of commonly used parts, assisting in the field as needed, and feeding lessons learned from the build back to the design team. The systems the group is developing are intended to interface with the next generation of Starship vehicles, catch both stages, and enable a rapid, automated flight cadence that requires no manual actions between launches.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Create work instructions for integration of electrical and controls systems as well as their related secondary structures
- Identify and escalate tricky designs that lead to manufacturing difficulties, and propose solutions for improving the process
- Provide production support: rapidly disposition issue tickets, work with engineers to define requirements and standard repairs
- Troubleshoot electrical and controls systems
- Select, modify, and maintain equipment needed to perform tests and fabrication projects
- Onboard new machinery or equipment to increase the efficiency of builds
- Document build processes
- Pursue initiatives to streamline the process of going from a design to completed hardware in the field including the areas of supply chain, planning generation, communication with technicians, test plans, tooling, checkouts, and data review
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 4+ years of professional experience working with electrical or data acquisition systems
- 2+ years of experience designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems (experience from a university or trade school qualifies)
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Proficiency in writing and interpreting planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
- Ability to install and use instrumentation including strain gages, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
- Ability to fabricate and repair cable harnesses including: soldering, crimping, assembling connectors
- Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment
- Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Ability to work at elevated heights up to 500 feet
- Stand: Up to 10 hours per day
- Sit: Up to 6 hours per day
- Push/Pull: Up to 75lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day
- Overhead reach: Up to 6 hours per day
- Walk: Up to 10 hours per day
- Lift/Carry: Up to ≤ 50 lbs. (unassisted) 15 minutes or less per day
- Climb (ladder/stairs): Up to 10 hours per day
- Kneel/Crouch: Up to 3 hours per day
- Upper body twist: Up to 3 hours per day
- Ability to work in temperatures over 80 degrees 6 hours or greater per day
- Candidate must be capable of safely working at heights (up to 500ft), in confined spaces, using an air purifying respirator, operating heavy equipment and machinery, and performing the physical requirements of the job listed in the job description
- Candidate may be required to complete a pre-employment questionnaire and/or physical to confirm these capabilities, which may include a medical history review
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate
- 4+ years of professional experience working with electrical or data acquisition systems
- 2+ years of experience designing electrical, mechanical, or control systems; university or trade school experience qualifies
- Ability to interpret planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches
- Ability to install and use instrumentation including strain gauges, pressure transducers, load cells, thermocouples, RTDs, accelerometers, and analog circuitry
- Ability to fabricate and repair cable harnesses using soldering, crimping, and connector assembly
- Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- Ability to rapidly change roles and responsibilities in a high-paced work environment
- Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision on tight schedules
- Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed
- Ability to safely work at heights up to 500 feet, in confined spaces, with an air-purifying respirator, and around heavy equipment and machinery
- Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, including standing, climbing, lifting, walking, overhead reaching, and working in temperatures over 80 degrees
- Must meet applicable ITAR authorization requirements
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
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Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
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