Automation Engineer, Blades and Vanes Foundry

About the role

Power generation poses a key challenge that could slow the worldwide adoption of AI. The Blades and Vanes Investment Casting Manufacturing Team produces components for power generation using investment casting to create equiaxed, directionally solidified, and single-crystal components that excel under the most demanding operating conditions.

As an automation engineer at SpaceX, you will apply first principles thinking to design, develop, and maintain core control systems at the cutting edge of investment casting and other manufacturing processes.

This includes integrating PLC/SCADA with advanced manufacturing and energy systems for physics-driven optimization of production processes, as well as developing scalable systems for functionality enhancements, quality inspection, and real-time process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Integrate electromechanical and mechatronic systems with critical investment casting equipment, including wax injectors, ceramic injectors, preheating, melting, and controlled solidification furnaces
• Design and develop manufacturing data systems from concept to production, analyzing equipment KPI trends, conducting reliability analysis to create scalable systems for production output, quality inspection, real-time process optimization, and maintenance strategies to enhance equipment uptime and reliability
• Implement solutions for data collection/storage, using Python/SQL to interface with MES and production databases, while incorporating sensor data for real-time condition monitoring and fault prediction
• Create and optimize HMI/SCADA/MES interfaces; conduct in-house technology exploration; and integrate predictive analytics for equipment health monitoring
• 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
• Implement (ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment
• Select and size electrical and electromechanical components such as servo motors and controllers
• Manage electrical cabinet builds, field wiring, pneumatic, and fluid plumbing

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline
• 1+ years of experience in the design and commissioning of automation and control systems for industrial applications

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Proficiency in industrial systems, including configuring control networks (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, BACnet, Serial Communication)
• Experience with multiple PLC systems (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, etc.)
• Experience with programming ABB mechatronic systems
• Experience with electrical schematics using ePLAN for circuits and power distribution
• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (vision systems, dispense systems, temperature controllers, laser distance sensors, Nut-Runners, etc.)
• Hands-on experience in manufacturing settings, solving complex problems using data and customized solutions. Proven results that have improved equipment reliability and reduced downtime
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, with experience applying these to analyze sensor data for equipment reliability analysis and predictive modeling
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting and fixing electro-mechanical devices, using hand tools, diagnostic tools (e.g., multimeters, vibration analyzers), and techniques for condition-based monitoring
• Proven interpersonal skills and ability to objectively resolve conflict within a large group
• Ability to work flexible hours and schedules as required, with a passion for tackling challenging engineering problems and a drive to innovate and grow in a dynamic, high-impact environment
• 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
• Must be willing to travel (up to 10%)

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.