Control Systems Engineer – Manufacturing & Automation

Xcimer Energy; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match up to 6%

Equity

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Xcimer Energy in Denver, CO is seeking a Controls Systems Engineer to design, stand up, and support PLC-based control systems for advanced manufacturing lines. You will work hands-on with PLCs, robotics, safety systems, and industrial networks to enable reliable, scalable production.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechatronics and 3+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing automation, with IEC 61131-3 languages and EtherCAT expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience in developing and commissioning control systems for manufacturing/industrial automation.
• Proficiency with PLC platforms (Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell) and IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Experience with safety standards and integration of sensors, actuators, and IO.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and commission PLC‑based control systems across process and manufacturing lines.
• Support stand‑ups of new manufacturing lines, including integration and FAT testing.
• Program and debug PLC software with readable, modular code; focus on maintainable design.
• Integrate robotics for part handling, inspection, and material movement.
• Develop fieldbus/network architectures with EtherCAT emphasis; interface with higher systems.
• Implement safety interlocks per ANSI/RIA, ISO, OSHA requirements.
• Create electrical schematics, panel layouts, and P&IDs with engineers and vendors.
• Develop HMIs balancing operator usability with diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Operations throughout lifecycle.

Skills

PLC programming

IEC 61131-3

EtherCAT

Industrial automation

Safety systems

HMI development

Robotics integration

Fieldbus protocols

Electrical schematics

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering / Controls Engineering / Mechatronics

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Siemens PLC

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Job description

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion!

This is a full-time, onsite role based at our headquarters in Denver, CO.

Control Systems Engineer - Manufacturing & Automation

You will apply your expertise in industrial automation and PLC-based control systems to design, stand up, and support advanced manufacturing and assembly lines. You will work hands-on with PLCs, robotics, safety systems, fieldbus networks, and industrial IO to enable reliable, scalable, and repeatable production systems. We are looking for engineers who enjoy building systems from concept through commissioning and thrive in fast-paced manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and commission PLC‑based control systems across process, manufacturing cells, motion control, and building automation, owning the work from initial concept through production deployment and operational handoff
• Support the stand‑up of new manufacturing lines, including greenfield and brownfield deployments, equipment integration, and factory acceptance testing
• Program and debug PLC software using IEC 61131-3 languages (Structured Text preferred), with a focus on readable, modular, and maintainable code with object oriented programming
• Integrate and commission industrial robotics systems for part handling, assembly, inspection, and material movement
• Develop and configure fieldbus and industrial networking architectures, with a strong emphasis on EtherCAT-based systems
• Implement machine safety systems and interlocks in compliance with applicable safety standards (e.g., ANSI/RIA, ISO, OSHA), including the application of functional safety principles such as SIL or Performance Level (PL) where required
• Design and review electrical control schematics, panel layouts, and P&IDs in coordination with Electrical Engineering and external vendors
• Develop HMIs that balance operator usability with effective diagnostics and troubleshooting capability
• Interface machine‑level control systems with higher‑level manufacturing systems such as SCADA, MES, and data historians
• Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment to improve throughput, yield, uptime, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
• Collaborate closely with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Operations throughout the equipment lifecycle
• Support creation, deployment, and handoff of documentation into production, including operator and maintenance training
• Work with external machine builders, integrators, and suppliers to ensure system performance and compliance

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline
• Experience: 3+ years of hands‑on experience developing and commissioning control systems for manufacturing or industrial automation environments
• Strong experience with PLC platforms used in manufacturing environments (e.g., Beckhoff, Siemens, Rockwell, or equivalent)
• Demonstrated experience standing up or supporting process, manufacturing, or assembly lines, including integration of multiple machines or subsystems
• Proficiency with industrial fieldbus and communication protocols, including EtherCAT (required); experience with Profinet, Ethernet/IP, CAN, or Modbus is a plus
• Experience integrating sensors, actuators, servo drives, VFDs, and distributed IO in machine control systems
• Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems, control panels, and relevant codes and standards (e.g., NFPA 79, NEC, UL 508A)
• Strong troubleshooting skills across software, electrical, and system‑level issues
• Ability to work hands‑on in a factory or lab environment, including occasional lifting, standing, and on‑equipment debugging
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Desired

• Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT, including EtherCAT configuration and distributed motion control
• Experience integrating industrial robots (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots)
• Familiarity with functional safety concepts such as safety PLCs, safety IO, and safe motion
• Experience with machine vision systems used for inspection or alignment
• Experience with SCADA platforms (e.g., Ignition) and production data collection
• Experience supporting automated systems in a production or high‑volume manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with version control, code standards, and structured documentation practices for control systems
• Greenfield manufacturing startup or rapid scale‑up experience

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; basic and supplemental life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid parental leave for employees at the time of birth or adoption; and a 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Eligible employees also receive equity, allowing them to share in the company’s long‑term success.
• Xcimer operates under a flexible Paid Time Off (ATO) approach. Rather than a fixed number of vacation days, employees are trusted to take the time they need to rest and recharge while meeting the expectations of their role and team. In addition, employees receive paid sick time, 13 company‑paid holidays, and an annual paid company shutdown. Benefits are available to regular employees, including part‑time and fixed‑term roles, as well as interns, with eligibility varying by benefit.
• We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
• Candidates may be considered for other positions at Xcimer Energy, and our actual base salary will be determined on an individual basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The range is published in accordance with Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act and California Equal Pay Act.