Automation and Controls Engineer, AI Satellites (Starmind)

AUTOMATION AND CONTROLS ENGINEER, AI SATELLITES (STARMIND) 

SpaceX is leveraging its experience deploying and operating the world’s largest satellite constellation to develop Starmind, a new constellation of satellites capturing solar energy in space to power low-cost, high-performance AI compute for Earth. Realizing this vision demands highly reliable, high performance electrical compute hardware, solar power systems, thermal radiators, and more. These systems must operate in the extreme environment of space while delivering the connectivity, control, power distribution, and processing needed for orbital AI inference. 

The Starmind team designs, builds, and operates the orbital compute fabric of the future. We develop nearly every key piece of technology in house – from the satellites’ flight computers and power systems to the fully custom compute electronics, memory, and networking that form the brain of our on-orbit data centers. As an Automation Engineer on the Starmind team, you’ll have ownership over the entire manufacturing line for the hardware that enables advanced on-orbit AI processing and data center workloads. Your work spans the assembly, integration, and testing of industry-leading compute electronics, memory, and networking in order to achieve required domain sizes and processing workloads. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Design, develop, and manage automation projects - this includes initial factory ideation, machine commissioning, proof of rate capability, and eventual hand-off to operational teams  
• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable for high-volume manufacturing applications  
• Keep our factory safe and reliable by implementing ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant systems for robots, gantries, conveyors, and other manufacturing equipment 
• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens to make complex machines easy to understand, operate, and troubleshoot 
• Design electrical systems compliant to NEC, NFPA, & UL508A regulations 
• Stay organized by creating schedules and budgets, and then motivate the team to achieve them  

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or computer science discipline 
• 1+ years of experience in  industrial or factory automation design and implementation or involvement with a project team designing and building electro-mechanical/robotic/automated systems or products 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:  

• Ability to engineer creative, new approaches to problems while adhering to ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA safety requirements to keep a factory safe 
• Experience with electromechanical systems 
• Electrical sizing of motors, cables, circuit protection, VFD’s, motor starters, various other motion systems  
• Design of fail-safe electrical circuits using both safety logic controllers and safety-rated relays  
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems using tools like multimeters, oscilloscopes, EMI probes 
• Proficiency in understanding and creating electrical schematics and single line diagrams (EPLAN preferred) 
• Field bus networks, serial communication, and Ethernet communication 
• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning high quality electrical panels and electro-mechanical systems with appropriate safety considerations in mind
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