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.
NEW GRADUATE ENGINEER, AUTOMATION - '26/'27
SpaceX is developing a low latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable.
This role sits in Bastrop, TX, a high-rate SpaceX manufacturing site. You will work closely with Materials Engineering on the processes, tools, and cells that produce flight and production hardware across programs.
We are hiring new graduates love working on the combination of electrical/software with mechanical. Some examples of systems you would be working on:
- High-rate factory automation – cells, robots, gantries, conveyors, and end-of-arm tooling
- PLC, HMI, and controls – organized, reusable code and screens operators can run and troubleshoot
- Machine safety – ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA systems for robots, gantries, and other equipment
- Factory health – sensors, SCADA/Ignition, and monitoring that keep the line up
- Electrical, pneumatics, and motion – control panels, schematics, and checkout on real equipment
- Completely new, ground up, green-field projects! Speccing new cells and equipment, owning commissioning and initial automation development
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own automation from concept through commissioning and high-volume production
- Design, program, and debug PLC and robot systems; measure rate, uptime, and capability
- Develop end-of-arm tooling, fixtures, and work instructions operators use on the floor
- Apply controls, electrical, and machine safety on real equipment
- Partner with Materials Engineering to develop and test automation for advanced materials and manufacturing processes for next generation hardware
- Troubleshoot cell and equipment problems on the floor and close root cause
- Challenge assumptions and work to find simple solutions to complex problems
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
- 1+ years of experience with engineering projects (internship or extracurricular experience is applicable)
- Graduating in the class of 2026 or 2027
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Hands-on work with automation such as PLC, robots, and industrial equipment
- Solid understanding of industrial controls, sensors, and how automated cells fail (faults, e-stops, rate, scrap)
- Experience with CAD (NX or SolidWorks) and electrical or pneumatic schematics
- Experience commissioning equipment, implementing safety systems, or bringing a cell to rate
- Exposure to production machinery (robots, injection molders, die casters, CNC, motion systems)
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for significant/extended periods of time (~15% travel normally, more during urgent manufacturing and test campaigns)
- Ability to lift up to 25Ibs unassisted
- Standing/walking for long periods of time
- Willingness to work long hours and weekends as necessary to accommodate manufacturing and test campaigns
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
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or computer science
- At least 1 year of engineering project experience; internship or extracurricular experience is acceptable
- Graduation in the class of 2026 or 2027
- Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors, normally approximately 15%
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods
- Willingness to work long hours and weekends as needed
- Must satisfy applicable ITAR authorization requirements
- Hands-on experience with PLCs, robots, and industrial equipment
- Understanding of industrial controls, sensors, automated-cell faults, emergency stops, rate, and scrap
- Experience with NX or SolidWorks CAD and electrical or pneumatic schematics
- Experience commissioning equipment, implementing safety systems, or bringing a cell to production rate
- Exposure to production machinery such as robots, injection molders, die casters, CNC, or motion systems
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and 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.
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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.
