Electrical Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls)

Job Application for Electrical Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls) at SpaceX Electrical Engineer (Instrumentation & Controls) McGregor, TX Apply 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. ELECTRICAL ENGINEER (INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROLS) This engineer is a systems-focused, automation-driven, multi-faceted individual. The engineer uses electrical and mechanical systems knowledge to inform the design of test stands, support facilities, avionics, and control systems . SpaceX control engineers develop and integrate physical hardware, including wire harnesses, PCBs, custom enclosures, PLCs, data acquisition systems, avionics systems, engine controllers, and various sensors. The engineer is responsible for transferring real-time data from these physical sensors and actuators to the stand operator, the responsible engineer, or the customer. Test articles include in-space systems, vehicles, avionics systems, and ground systems. Excellent operational support and accurate interpretation of data collected from these test systems are paramount. These critical automation & control systems support operations that enable safe, economical, and reliable access to space. RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintain the operational capability of all control voltage level (<60V) electrical systems Develop and upgrade data acquisition and control systems Create new automation systems pertaining to avionics and engine testing Provide technical support and guidance for controls technicians and other non-controls engineering groups Develop new hardware and processes to improve capabilities, reduce cost, and setup time of electrical systems Analyze data to assess the function and health of electrical systems Assist in the design and analysis of experiments to evaluate test articles BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in physics, electrical engineering, computer engineering or other engineering discipline 1+ years of experience working with data acquisition systems (professional work, internships, clubs, or other engineering activities qualify) PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal 2+ years of experience leading a team or project Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight Strong work ethic, positive attitude, and drive to succeed as part of a high functioning team Ability to rapidly change roles/responsibilities while working in a high-paced, challenging work environment Ability to thrive in ambiguity, independently drive project progress, and manage multiple priorities Knowledge of high-reliability processes and related documentation practices Demonstrated ability to design, implement and troubleshoot data acquisition and control hardware Fundamental understanding of engineering principles behind electronic equipment, instrumentation, and commonly used industrial equipment Experience designing and installing instrumentation and control systems in hazardous areas (NFPA 70 Section 500 installations); class 1, division 1 and division 2 environments or IEC equivalence Familiarity with mixed signal electronics, power supply design, analog filtering; testing and troubleshooting techniques, signal integrity, layout and grounding principles General schematic capture and printed circuit board (PCB) design and/or verification and validation experience Experience with electrical power distribution, working knowledge of NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E First-hand experience with programming and software development Experience with industrial bus protocols such as Modbus, Profinet and EtherNet/IP Hands-on experience activating, building, and troubleshooting analog & digital electronic systems, including avionics ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings Ability to work at elevated heights (200+ feet) Ability to perform physical tasks such as climbing up and down stairs and/or ladders regularly throughout the day Ability to lift light weight supplies or materials (up to 25lbs unassisted) Available to work extended hours and weekends when needed based on site operational needs; flexibility required Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, flashing lights, heat, cold, rain, and noise Ability to travel to other SpaceX or 3rd party facilities (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 . 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] . Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at SpaceX? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Create alert Apply for this job * indicates a required field Autofill with MyGreenhouse First Name * Last Name * Preferred First Name Email * Phone Country * Phone * Location (City) * Locate me Resume/CV * Attach Attach Enter manually Enter manually Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf Education School * Select... Degree * Select... Discipline Select... Add another LinkedIn Profile Portfolio or Cover Letter Attach Attach Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf How did you hear about this job? * Select... If event or other, please specify below. Please specify GPA (Undergraduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your undergraduate GPA. GPA (Graduate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your graduate GPA. GPA (Doctorate) * Select... Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not applicable/Do not recall" if you do not have or do not remember your doctorate GPA. SAT Score * Select... ACT Score * Select... GRE Score * Select... Active Security Clearance(s) * Select... SpaceX Employment History * Select... Can you perform all of the essential functions of this role with or without reasonable accommodations? * Select... Are you legally authorized to work in the United States? * Select... Citizenship Status * Select... To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here . If (f) Other, please explain: Voluntary Self-Identification For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file. As set forth in SpaceX’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law. Gender Select... Are you Hispanic/Latino? Select... Race & Ethnicity Definitions If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows: A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985. Veteran Status Select... Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026 Why are you being asked to complete this form? We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years. Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp . How do you know if you have a disability? A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to: Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally) Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS Blind or low vision Cancer (past or present) Cardiovascular or heart disease Celiac disease Cerebral palsy Deaf or serious difficulty hearing Diabetes Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders Epilepsy or other seizure disorder Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome Intellectual or developmental disability Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD Missing limbs or partially missing limbs Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS) Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities Partial or complete paralysis (any cause) Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema Short stature (dwarfism) Traumatic brain injury Disability Status Select... PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Submit application Powered by Greenhouse