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Manager, Automation & Controls Engineering (Power Generation & Utilities)

SpaceX· High Power Engineering
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Starbase, TXFull-timePosted 3mo ago

About the role

Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering to own design, build-out, commissioning, and continuous improvement of automation, controls, and electrical systems across SpaceX’s power generation and utility infrastructure at Starbase, with a primary focus on industrial power generation assets, utility-scale and low-voltage electrical power systems, and related balance-of-plant.

Responsibilities

  • Own the automation and controls engineering scope for all power generation projects and assets (gas turbine simple cycle, combined cycle, and steam turbine systems), including DCS/SCADA architecture, PLC systems, turbine control interfaces, instrumentation, and control networks — from control philosophy through commissioning and ongoing reliability.
  • Own controls and electrical integration for utility-scale and low-voltage electrical power systems, including switchgear, protection and metering, plant electrical distribution, and power system controls in compliance with NFPA 70/70B/70E, NESC, and IEEE standards.
  • Lead mechanical and electrical balance-of-plant (BOP) controls scope across power generation assets — fuel gas systems, HVAC, fire protection, compressed air, cooling water, and auxiliary systems.
  • Direct automation and controls scope for supporting utility and process systems, including raw water intake, demineralization, wastewater treatment, cooling water, and industrial gas systems.
  • Build, mentor, and manage a team of automation and controls engineers and technicians; scale the team in line with power generation capacity growth and Starship production/launch rate targets.
  • Review and approve control philosophy documents, I/O lists, control narratives, single-line diagrams, electrical/pneumatic schematics, cause-and-effect diagrams, and control panel designs produced by the team and by EPC contractors/vendors.
  • Interface directly with internal engineering disciplines, construction teams, OEMs (turbine, HRSG, BOP, and electrical equipment vendors), and contractors to ensure controls and electrical scope is fully integrated and commissioned on schedule.
  • Drive standardization of control system architecture (DCS/PLC/SCADA), cybersecurity posture, documentation, and engineering practices across power generation and utility facilities to enable design reuse and faster deployment.
  • Own field commissioning support for automation, controls, and electrical systems, including loop checks, functional testing, protection testing, start-up, and hand-off; support root-cause investigations and reliability improvements across operating assets.
  • Develop SOWs, negotiate, and manage contractor work as needed to support power generation and utility build-out.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related engineering field.
  • 8+ years of experience in automation and controls engineering, with direct experience on industrial power generation projects (gas turbine, combined cycle, or steam systems preferred) or large-scale critical power infrastructure.
  • 3+ years of experience directly managing or leading a team of engineers (and preferably technicians).

Skills

Required:DCS/SCADA/PLC platformsControl philosophy, I/O lists, and schematics
Nice to have:Gas turbine/combined-cycle power plant controls

Benefits

  • Not specified in the description.
Last updated Aug 5, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

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