Controls Technician

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.

CONTROLS TECHNICIAN

The controls technician supports building and maintaining our data and control systems. These systems include different data collection and control hardware, wiring, interface harnesses, and many types of sensors. The goal of the data and control systems team is to meet test needs for safe, low-cost, and reliable access to space.

• Perform complex technical assignments involving instrumentation and data acquisition/processing systems

• 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

• Analyze results of calibrations and processed data, and assist in the interpretation of test data

• Adjust, repair, or replace faulty components of test setups and equipment

• Lay out, build, test, troubleshoot, repair, and modify developmental and production electrical and electronic units, assemblies, components, parts, equipment, and systems

• Configure the data acquisition hardware

• Perform wire terminations to a variety of instruments and verify sensor health: pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, limits, and flow meters

• Install connectors, connector pins, terminals, and lugs

• Perform continuity checks, locate and correct wiring errors using measuring instruments such as ohmmeters and sequential continuity checkers

• 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

• Perform layout and wiring of electrical panels

• Collaborate with design engineers to troubleshoot failures and issues derived from test data

• Perform other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment

• Associate degree in instrumentation, control technology, electrical systems, or other electrical field (3+ years of professional experience working with controls or electrical systems will be considered in lieu of a degree)

• 2+ years of experience working with instrumentation such as pressure transducers, thermocouples, valves, flow meters, multimeters, or oscilloscopes

• Experience working with any of the following instrumentation: resistance temperature devices (RTDs), silicon diode temperature devices, strain gauges, load cells, displacement transducers, pressure transducers, thermocouple, and flow meters (turbine, coriolis, and ultrasonic)

• Basic knowledge of Wheatstone bridge theory, ability to apply Ohm's law, and an understanding of direct current (DC) electronics

• Operational knowledge of an oscilloscope and multi-meter, soldering wires and connectors, operation of various crimping tools, wire stripping, continuity testing, pinning out a military type connector, 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 (VFDs) and motor starters, and knowledge in troubleshooting

• Knowledge in signal conditioning