Automation & Controls Engineer

Texas A&M Engineering; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M Engineering is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to lead the automation and integration of metallurgical processing equipment into a Bayesian-optimized experimental platform on the College Station campus.

You will connect arc melting, hot rolling, mechanical testing, and robotic transfer systems into a coordinated workflow and develop Python middleware to issue PLC commands, while ensuring safe unattended operation of high-temperature and high-force equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Six years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Automate vacuum arc melting operations: electrode positioning, chamber sequencing, power profile control, and ingot extraction.
• Automate hot rolling workflows: pass schedule execution, temperature monitoring, thickness feedback, and inter-pass timing.
• Automate mechanical testing routines: specimen loading, test execution, and data capture on universal testing machines, hardness testers, and related equipment.
• Design and commission robotic sample transfer systems to move specimens between processing, characterization, and testing stations without manual intervention.
• Develop Python-based middleware that receives experimental directives from a Bayesian optimization orchestrator and translates them into coordinated PLC commands across multiple instruments.
• Implement real-time data acquisition from sensors (thermocouples, load cells, encoders, imaging systems) and structure outputs into machine-readable formats for the AI/ML pipeline.
• Design safety interlocks, error recovery protocols, and fail-safe routines for unattended operation of high-temperature and high-force equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve issues across the full stack — electrical, mechanical, and software.

Skills

Python automation

Electrical schematics

Troubleshooting

ROS/ROS2 knowledge

Data acquisition

Education

Bachelor's degree in applicable field

Tools

PLC programming

HMI development

Robotics systems

LabVIEW

ROS/ROS2

Job description

Job Title

Job TitleAutomation & Controls Engineer Agency Texas A&M Engineering Department Materials Science & Engineering Proposed Minimum SalaryCommensurate Job LocationCollege Station, Texas Job TypeStaff

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Who we are Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society. As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges. We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description Purpose

We are seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to join our research group and lead the automation and integration of metallurgical processing equipment into a closed-loop, AI-orchestrated experimental platform. The successful candidate will connect arc melting, hot rolling, mechanical testing, and robotic sample transfer systems into a coordinated workflow driven by a Bayesian optimization engine — translating algorithmic experimental directives into machine actions and returning structured results to the decision-making system.

Responsibilities

• Automate vacuum arc melting operations: electrode positioning, chamber sequencing, power profile control, and ingot extraction.
• Automate hot rolling workflows: pass schedule execution, temperature monitoring, thickness feedback, and inter-pass timing.
• Automate mechanical testing routines: specimen loading, test execution, and data capture on universal testing machines, hardness testers, and related equipment.
• Design and commission robotic sample transfer systems to move specimens between processing, characterization, and testing stations without manual intervention.
• Develop Python-based middleware that receives experimental directives from a Bayesian optimization orchestrator and translates them into coordinated PLC commands across multiple instruments.
• Implement real-time data acquisition from sensors (thermocouples, load cells, encoders, imaging systems) and structure outputs into machine-readable formats for the AI/ML pipeline.
• Design safety interlocks, error recovery protocols, and fail-safe routines for unattended operation of high-temperature and high-force equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve issues across the full stack — electrical, mechanical, and software.

What we need

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• six years of related experience.

What is helpful

• BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
• Experience with PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent) and HMI development
• Hands-on experience interfacing with scientific, industrial, or manufacturing equipment
• Experience with robotic systems (UR, FANUC, or similar) and motion control
• Prior experience in a research laboratory, national lab, or metals processing environment
• Exposure to computer vision for automated inspection, sample identification, or quality control
• Experience with high-temperature or high-force equipment (furnaces, rolling mills, mechanical test frames)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficiency in Python for instrument control, scripting, and automation
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Strong troubleshooting skills across hardware and software domains
• Familiarity with ROS/ROS2, LabVIEW, or data acquisition frameworks
• Understanding of AI/ML workflow integration — ability to design APIs and data pipelines that connect automated instruments to optimization and decision-making algorithms
• Familiarity with digital twins or simulation-based testing of automation sequences

Work Location

Main Campus – College Station, TX.

About Materials Science and Engineering

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering's mission is to educate global leaders in materials science and engineering; perform research to address materials challenges of the 21st century; impact society, industry, national security, and the environment and attract the best minds and develop them into the leaders of tomorrow. Despite being one of the youngest departments in the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University, it is one of the largest materials science and engineering departments in the country. Our goal is to be the largest one while providing excellent education to the students.

Benefits

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Compensation Philosophy

Recruit and retain high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development. Offer total rewards, flexible benefits, professional development, performance recognition and work-life balance. Ensure resources are readily available and utilized to attract and retain the highest quality researchers, faculty, and staff.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present original and unexpired documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer

The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees. External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.