Apprentice Controls Technician

SpaceX was founded with the belief that a future where humanity explores the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we do not. Today, SpaceX is actively developing technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

Apprentice Controls Technician

The apprentice controls technician will support the build-up and maintenance of our data and control systems. These systems include various data acquisition and control hardware, wiring and interface harnesses, and a wide range of instrumentation. The team's goal is to meet various test requirements to achieve safe, economical, and reliable access to space.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, calibrate, configure, monitor, test, troubleshoot, install, and repair instrumentation, process controls, data acquisition systems, and electrical systems.
• Investigate, diagnose, correct, and document instrumentation or system malfunctions.
• Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electrical and electronic units, assemblies, components, parts, equipment, and systems.
• Perform wire terminations to a variety of instruments and verify sensor health: pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, limits, and flow meters.
• Adjust, calibrate, align, and modify circuitry and components, and record effects on unit performance.
• Read and interpret planning documents, schematics, wiring diagrams, specifications, drawings, manuals, blueprints, and engineering sketches.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate's degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems, or a related field.
• Experience working with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, flow meters, multimeters, or oscilloscopes (experience from a college program counts).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience with instrumentation like resistance temperature devices (RTDs), silicon diode temperature devices, strain gauges, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, and flow meters (turbine, coriolis, and ultrasonic).
• IPC 620 spec for harness assembly.
• Basic knowledge of Wheatstone Bridge Theory, ability to apply Ohm's Law, and understanding of DC electronics.
• Operational knowledge of oscilloscope and multimeter, soldering wires and connectors, using various crimping tools, wire stripping, continuity testing, pinning out military type connectors, routing and tie wrapping cables, drilling and tapping holes, and building junction boxes.
• System-level troubleshooting skills and the ability to logically solve instrumentation system problems and determine corrective action.
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives and motor starters, and knowledge in troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of signal conditioning concepts for various sensors, including thermocouple Types K, S, and E; TC bonding concepts (resistance weld on and adhesive bond on types); TC probes through thermowell sheaths; and cold junction compensation concepts.
• Background should include experience with DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, UPS installations, heat shrink tubing, cable harnessing, lacing, and proper strain relief concepts.
• Working knowledge of transducers, operational amplifiers, and measurement techniques for temperature, pressure, flow, displacement, vibration, and application of strain gauges. Ability to identify required data, data acquisition plans, and test parameters, and set up equipment to conform to these specifications.
• Working knowledge of multiple bus architectures (PCI/PCIe, PXI/PXIe, GPIB, Serial, USB, etc.) and data communication technologies.
• Demonstrated capabilities in developing comprehensive project plans that include all tasks, stage/gate milestones, and reviews necessary to successfully develop and implement solutions.
• Intermediate skill level using Windows Operating Systems.
• Intermediate skill level using Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote).
• Knowledge in data acquisition concepts, hardware, and interfacing (SCXI and PXI-based).

Additional Requirements

• Role may require extended hours, weekend work, and shift schedules that vary depending on site operational needs; flexibility required.
• Flight hardware is typically built in tight quarters, and physical dexterity is required.
• Ability to lift heavy objects up to 50 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to perform job duties that require standing, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, working in cramped positions in small openings, and climbing hand over hand.
• Ability to work at elevated heights.
• Typically exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments (heat, cold, rain).
• Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise.
• Schedule varies depending on site operational needs; flexibility required.
• Willing to travel to other SpaceX locations as necessary, up to 10%.
• Valid driver's license.

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.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced 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].