Automation and Controls Engineer II
Core
Design, build, and maintain bespoke ground support equipment (GSE) and test infrastructure to qualify spaceflight hardware for orbit.
Role type
Automation and Controls Engineer II
Builds
Propulsion test stands, environmental qualification chambers, spacecraft-level integration test systems, and custom PLC/EtherCAT tooling.
Domain
Aerospace / Industrial Automation / Space Infrastructure
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
PLC programming (TwinCAT 3, IEC 61131-3), EtherCAT integration, electrical design and cabinet wiring, hardware debugging, real-time control implementation, industrial communication protocols (Modbus, RS-232/485), system commissioning
Preferred skills
Hard real-time control loops (sub-millisecond), custom control framework development, time-series data acquisition (Grafana, InfluxDB), spacecraft testing experience, environmental test experience (TVAC, thermal cycling, vibration), high-pressure gas/fluid systems, propulsion test stand development
Technologies
Beckhoff, EtherCAT, TwinCAT 3, Modbus, RS-232/485, Python, Grafana, InfluxDB
Responsibilities
Design and build test systems and GSE for flight hardware qualification; Integrate with external hardware like thermal vacuum chambers and precision instrumentation; Develop internal PLC frameworks and EtherCAT tooling; Contribute to architecture decisions on real-time control implementation; Build cabinets, wire panels, and own systems end-to-end; Partner with propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing teams to deliver test infrastructure
Seniority
Mid-level IC (2+ years experience)
