Instrumentation & Controls Specialist, Water Treatment (Starlink)

INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROLS SPECIALIST, WATER TREATMENT (STARLINK)

The Water Treatment team at SpaceX is looking for a highly skilled Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Specialist to lead the automation efforts for our water infrastructure in Bastrop, TX. You will be the subject matter expert (SME) for the control systems driving our Ultra-Pure Water (UPW), Industrial Wastewater (IWW), and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plants.

In this role, you won’t just fix broken sensors; you will optimize the logic that runs them. You will bridge the gap between physical hardware and software engineering — troubleshooting complex PLC logic, designing HMI screens, tuning PID loops, and ensuring that our water systems operate at peak efficiency and safety to support critical production targets.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• System Automation: Modify and optimize PLC logic (Allen Bradley, Siemens) to improve system reliability and process stability
• SCADA Development: Design and deploy HMI screens and alarm management systems using Ignition, ensuring operators have clear, actionable data
• Advanced Troubleshooting: Serve as the final escalation point for complex electrical and controls failures; diagnose root causes across network protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP), VFD parameters, and instrumentation loops
• Loop Tuning: Perform precise PID loop tuning for critical process variables (flow, pressure, pH) to maintain tight tolerances in dynamic water treatment processes
• Project Execution: Lead I&C integration for new equipment installs, from panel design review and IO checkout to startup and commissioning
• Network Architecture: Manage industrial network infrastructure, ensuring robust communication between remote I/O, local control panels, and the central SCADA server
• Standards & Compliance: Ensure all control panels and field wiring meet NEC, NFPA 79, and SpaceX internal standards
• Mentorship: Provide technical guidance and training to I&C Technicians and Maintenance staff on advanced diagnostic techniques

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalency certificate
• 2+ years of professional experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or I&C maintenance
• 2+ years of experience programming or troubleshooting Allen Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix and Siemens PLCs

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or a related technical field
• Water/Wastewater Expertise: Deep understanding of the specific control strategies required for RO trains, ion exchange, evaporators and crystallizers, filter presses, and precipitation and clarification tanks
• Ignition Certification: Experience building projects in Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform (Perspective/Vision modules)
• Hardware Knowledge: Expert-level knowledge of VFDs (PowerFlex, Danfoss), servo drives, and diverse industrial instrumentation (E+H, Rosemount, IFM)
• Panel Design: Ability to redline electrical schematics and oversee panel builds or modifications
• Data Analysis: Ability to query SQL databases to retrieve historical process data for troubleshooting

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support critical milestones or emergency repairs
• Due to the nature of production line bring-up, the work schedule will evolve
  • Will start as 5 AM - 5 PM (Monday - Thursday) or 5 PM - 5 AM (Monday - Thursday)
  • Final permanent schedules:
    • 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)
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. unassisted
• Ability to distinguish between different colors of wires and indicator lights