Automation & Controls Engineer Engineering Cincinnati, OH

1872 Ai; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Unlimited PTO

Paid parental leave

Health/dental/vision coverage

Job summary

1872 AI in Cincinnati, OH is building AI-native factories for lights-out production, connecting CAD to finished parts. You will develop software that talks to machines—robots, PLCs, sensors—on-site, with hybrid work on the shop floor.

You’ll wrap industrial protocols in modern APIs and integrate them into our factory platform. Ideal candidates have 5+ years building production software, strong Python/Go/Rust skills, and familiarity with OPC-UA/Modbus, ROS/ROS2, and edge devices.

Qualifications

• 5+ years building production software you owned end-to-end; can consider exceptional hands-on builders.
• Proficient in Python, Rust or Go; familiar with Structured Text and Ladder Logic.
• Experience integrating industrial equipment and sensors into software workflows.
• Knowledge of OPC-UA, Modbus, EtherCAT, PROFINET and exposing hardware data via APIs.
• Able to read wiring diagrams, troubleshoot circuits, and debug on shop floor.

Skills

Python

Rust

Go

OPC-UA

Modbus

EtherCAT

PROFINET

Structured Text

Ladder Logic

AI-assisted development

Shop floor debugging

Tools

ROS/ROS2

Nvidia Jetson

Raspberry Pi

Industrial PCs

Edge devices

Vision systems

Job description

At 1872 AI, we are transforming industrial manufacturing in the United States by building AI-native factories capable of lights-out production—from CAD to finished part with minimal human input. Our initial focus targets the energy and infrastructure sectors—power generation, grid infrastructure, and compute facilities—where critical supply chain bottlenecks in steel fabrication are limiting growth.

About the Role

You will build the software that talks to our machines—robots, PLCs, sensors, and everything in between. This is a hybrid role: you write the automation logic and services that coordinate physical equipment, and you debug it on the shop floor when things go wrong. You're not just programming PLCs; you're wrapping industrial protocols in modern APIs and integrating them into our factory platform.

Base Qualifications

• 5+ years building production software you owned end-to-end - designed, shipped, and debugged in prod. We'll consider fewer years only for exceptional builders or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Comfortable in high-level languages (Python, Rust, or Go) and familiarity with industrial control languages (Structured Text, Ladder Logic).
• Experience integrating industrial equipment, sensors, or vision systems into software-driven workflows.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (OPC-UA, Modbus, EtherCAT, PROFINET) and experience exposing hardware data through modern APIs.
• Electrical engineering fundamentals - comfortable reading wiring diagrams, troubleshooting circuits, and debugging down machines.
• Willingness to debug electrical cabinets, sensors, and mechanical systems on the shop floor.
• Deeply curious about AI-assisted development. You're actively exploring how tools like agentic coding assistants, automated review, and orchestration platforms can help you ship more, faster - without sacrificing quality.
• Ability to self-direct and thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ROS/ROS2.
• Experience with computer vision for industrial inspection or guidance.
• Experience utilizing edge computing devices (Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Jetson, Industrial PCs) to bridge IT/OT gaps.
• Experience commissioning or starting up industrial equipment in a greenfield environment.
• Background in welding or metal fabrication processes.

Why Join

• You are an early employee in the software org. You define the tech stack and the culture.
• The role evolves as we do. Lots of room to grow into leadership, go deep technically, or help spin up new teams as we scale.
• You'll use the latest tools and work with a team that wants to continuously improve.
• We take risks and spend where it counts. The best idea wins.
• Competitive salary + significant early-stage equity.
• Unlimited PTO: We trust you to manage your time and take the breaks you need to stay productive and healthy.
• Paid parental leave: Support for new parents during this important life transition.
• We cover 100% of employees premiums and 80% of your family's premiums through industry-leading medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.

This role is based on-site in Cincinnati, OH and is not open to remote work.

1872 AI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. To request a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact [e-mail] .

This position may be subject to a background check in accordance with applicable law. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration.