---
title: 'Automation & Controls Specialist, PCB Manufacturing (Starlink/Starmind) at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/automation-controls-specialist-pcb-manufacturing-starlink-starmind-spacex-900ehx3ftfg4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-03'
---

# Automation & Controls Specialist, PCB Manufacturing (Starlink/Starmind) at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Bastrop, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-05-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-03
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8560090002?gh_jid=8560090002

## Job description

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, PCB MANUFACTURING (STARLINK/STARMIND)

SpaceX is becoming a world leader in electronics manufacturing in the heart of Texas. The Automation & Controls Specialist for the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) factory will be responsible for troubleshooting complex controls issues within existing SpaceX critical assets, with the focus on adding long-term repairs that increase the overall reliability of production systems, rather than implementing quick-fix solutions. Additionally, the Automation & Controls Specialist will be responsible for assisting in the design of new controls components and integrating with vendor-provided equipment. The Automation & Controls Specialist makes data-driven decisions and is skilled in both hands-on electrical and controls software. This includes servicing and building industrial control panels, robotic and electromechanical controls systems, and PLC, HMI, and SCADA development.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Integrate vendor/OEM equipment into centralized SCADA software for advanced line control
- Maximize the uptime of all automation assets on our advanced manufacturing lines
- Develop data analysis tools to root-cause the largest downtime sources and propose long-term fixes
- Spec and procure required components, sensors, and hardware needed for implementing controls solutions
- Wire, commission, and validate electromechanical and pneumatic control systems
- Design and commission basic PLC and HMI software applications, and additions to existing systems
- Interpret and develop logic for Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA, and Allen-Bradley RS Logix
- Read, understand, and utilize system-level schematics (mechanical/electrical/pneumatic/hydraulic)
- Support production devices (HMIs, VM’s, Thin Clients, IoT devices)

## BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

- High school diploma or equivalency certificate and 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing and production environment; OR bachelor's degree in an engineering, math, or science discipline
- 2+ years of experience working with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and/or hydraulic systems

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Associate or bachelor's degree in engineering, math, or science discipline
- Demonstrated hands-on skill in fault finding, mechanical system troubleshooting, and solid problem resolution skills
- Highly motivated with strong interpersonal skills; a team player, yet able to work independently when necessary
- Exceptional problem solving and communication skills, creative, and has strong organizational skills as well as documentation
- Strong, working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety), NFPA 79 & UL508A codes
- PLC and HMI programming experience or familiarization using ladder logic and structured text (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA, and Allen-Bradley RS Logix)
- Mechanical equipment design/build experience
- Experience with electrical control panel design, building, and wiring
- Electrical schematic drawing/updates
- Excellent skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Detail oriented, organized, and able to demonstrate a high sense of urgency
- Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and drawings
- Analytical skills - skilled at gathering and analyzing information to understand complex situations and solve problems
- Ability to maintain a safe and clean working environment while adhering to company policies, quality policies, and industry standards

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be available to work one of the following shifts (B shift preferred)
- A-Shift: 5 AM - 5 PM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
- B-Shift: 5 AM - 5 PM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
- C-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Sunday - Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
- D-Shift: 5 PM - 5 AM (Thursday - Saturday and every other Wednesday)
- Must be able to gain forklift certification
- Ability to lift 25 lbs. unassisted
- Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
- Must be willing to work all shifts, overtime and weekends as needed

## 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](https://www.pmddtc.state.gov/?id=ddtc_kb_article_page&sys_id=24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987).

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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

## About SpaceX

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft while building a global satellite broadband network and AI infrastructure to enable interplanetary life.
- **Entity Type**: Public (Nasdaq: SPCX) – IPO priced at $135/share on June 12, 2026
- **Headquarters**: Starbase, Texas (primary); Hawthorne, California (historical headquarters)
- **Founded**: 2002
- **Founders**: Elon Musk

## Core Business
- **Industries**: Aerospace & Defense, Spaceflight, Satellite Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence
- **Target Customers**: Government (NASA, U.S. Armed Forces, international agencies), Commercial satellite operators, Broadband consumers (Starlink), Defense/intelligence (Starshield)
- **Mission**: To make humanity multiplanetary by building the integrated hardware and software infrastructure of the future across space, connectivity, and AI.

## Products & Services
- **Falcon 9**: Reusable two-stage rocket – the world’s most launched orbital rocket, with over 630 successful first-stage reflights.
- **Falcon Heavy**: Heavy-lift launch vehicle composed of three Falcon 9 cores; capable of lifting nearly 64 metric tons to orbit.
- **Starship**: Fully reusable super-heavy launch vehicle and spacecraft (largest ever built) designed for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
- **Dragon 2**: Crew and cargo spacecraft used for NASA Commercial Crew and private missions to the ISS and beyond.
- **Starlink**: Low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet to over 10.3 million people globally.
- **Starshield**: Military-grade satellite services for national security and defense customers.
- **SpaceXAI**: Division focused on AI compute infrastructure, frontier models, and real-time data processing (including AI compute satellites).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Conflicting reports – Internal share offer in 2025 valued SpaceX at **$800 billion**; IPO pricing (June 2026) implied a market capitalization of approximately **$75 billion** for the shares offered.
- **Key Metric**: Annual revenue of **$15.0 billion** (2025); total funding raised **$15.2 billion** across 56 rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Google (led $1B Series G), Intesa Sanpaolo, NASA, U.S. Space Force, and numerous institutional investors.
- **Growth Signals**: Employee headcount of **11,387** (monthly growth +2.5%); **1,671 active job postings**; Falcon 9 launch cadence of 1–3 per week; Starlink subscriber base covering ~10.3 million people; recent acquisition of xAI (February 2026).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Full reusability**: Only company with a fleet of reusable orbital rockets (Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy), dramatically lowering per-launch cost.
- **Vertical integration**: Designs, manufactures, and operates its own rockets, spacecraft, satellite constellation, and AI platform – enabling rapid iteration and cost control.
- **Scale and reliability**: More orbital launches per year than any other provider (public or private); proven track record with NASA and DoD.
- **First-mover in commercial spaceflight**: Established crew transport, satellite internet, and now AI compute in orbit.

## Strategic Focus
- **Starship development**: Complete testing and operational deployment of the fully reusable Starship system for lunar (Artemis) and Mars missions.
- **Starlink expansion**: Grow subscriber base, launch V3 satellites, and extend mobile and direct-to-cell services.
- **AI integration**: Leverage SpaceXAI for on-orbit compute and real-time data analytics; build AI compute satellites.
- **Interplanetary infrastructure**: Develop technologies for sustained human presence on the Moon and Mars.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Employees directly contribute to making life multiplanetary – “hard work and innovative solutions result in big gains.”
- **Impactful projects**: Work on reusable rockets, crewed spacecraft, global broadband, and AI systems that are actively changing the space industry.
- **Compensation**: Competitive salaries, comprehensive health benefits, and equity packages.
- **Work locations**: Primary campuses in Hawthorne, CA and Starbase, TX (with additional sites in Cape Canaveral, FL and Vandenberg, CA). Roles span engineering, software, manufacturing, and support.
- **Engineering culture**: Merit-based, fast-paced, with high ownership; top talent sourced from Tesla, Boeing, NASA JPL, and other aerospace leaders.
- **Open roles**: Over 1,600 active positions across software, AI, avionics, propulsion, supply chain, and more – including internships.

## Sources
1. [SpaceX Careers Page](https://www.spacex.com/careers)
2. [LinkedIn – SpaceX Company Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/company/spacex)
3. [SpaceX IPO Factsheet (PDF)](https://content.spacex.com/cms-assets/FINAL_Documents%20and%20Updates/SpaceX%20IPO_Factsheet.pdf)
4. [SpaceX IPO Pricing Press Release](https://ir.spacex.com/updates/releases-details/2026/Space-Exploration-Technologies-Corp--Announces-Pricing-of-Initial-Public-Offering/default.aspx)
5. [SpaceX Jobs Board (Greenhouse)](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/spacex)

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