---
title: 'Automation & Controls Specialist, Tool & Die - 2nd Shift at SpaceX'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/automation-controls-specialist-tool-die-2nd-shift-spacex-bastrop-pz6m890wv7nx'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Automation & Controls Specialist, Tool & Die - 2nd Shift at SpaceX

- **Company:** SpaceX
- **Location:** Bastrop, TX
- **Posted:** 2026-06-10
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/spacex/jobs/8585039002?gh_jid=8585039002

## 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, TOOL & DIE

One of the most ambitious missions SpaceX has undertaken, the Starlink satellite constellation, is our solution to providing reliable, high-speed internet to the entire world — including rural communities and areas with little or no connectivity. We are looking for talented Automation & Controls Specialists to help design, build, integrate, commission, and continuously improve automation systems that support our tool and die shop.

Our tool and die shop makes the molds (dies) that are used to produce high volume components for Starlink User Terminal and other programs. This role is responsible for delivering safe, innovative, and reliable automation assets that drive quality, throughput, and cost targets. It is an ideal next career step if you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, enjoy solving difficult technical problems with high impact, and love building and optimizing systems from the ground up.

## RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Integrate, commission, and troubleshoot electromechanical automation systems, collaborating closely with engineering to deliver production-ready solutions
- Develop and build new automation solutions while improving existing assets to meet evolving production requirements
- Read and use system-level schematics (electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic)
- Design, build, and wire industrial control panels to NFPA 79 and UL 508A standards
- Design, implement, and commission PLC and HMI software applications using ladder logic and structured text
- Specify and procure components, sensors, actuators, and hardware required for control system implementation
- Implement corrective actions and robust preventative maintenance processes
- Develop and maintain automation standards that improve consistency, reliability, uptime, and safety
- Maintain production areas by enforcing proper workflow, 5S principles, safety, tidiness, and inventory control

## 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 professional experience in a hands-on automation or controls environment in manufacturing

## PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

- Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming (Beckhoff TwinCAT, Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Logix5000, or similar)
- Experience designing, building, and troubleshooting industrial control panels and automation systems
- Working knowledge of NFPA 70 (National Electrical Code), NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and UL 508A standards
- Experience reading and creating electrical/pneumatic schematics using EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, Visio, NX, or SolidWorks

## ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

- Must be willing to work the following hours:
- 2nd shift: Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 2:00am
- Able to work overtime and weekends as needed to support critical production milestones
- Must be able to acquire forklift certification
- Standing for long periods, climbing ladders, bending, grasping, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required
- Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
- Able to travel for business trips as needed (up to 25%)

## 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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