Controls Engineer

Giga Energy; San Francisco, Long Beach, Houston (CA, CA, TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with 4% employer match

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Giga Energy is seeking a Controls Engineer in San Francisco, CA, to design and develop control systems for mission-critical AI infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have 3+ years of PLC and HMI programming experience, collaborate closely with other engineers, and produce detailed control schematics.

Responsibilities include programming, troubleshooting control systems, and improving existing designs. Strong understanding of automation systems and communication protocols is required. Join a dynamic team making impactful changes in the AI industry.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience.
• Experience designing control panels using AutoCAD.
• Solid understanding of general control systems principles.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC and HMI programs for automation systems.
• Produce detailed control schematics and documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers to integrate controls into facilities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Control systems design

Communication protocols

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell Automation Suite

AutoCAD

SCADA systems

Job description

Houston, TX. San Francisco, CA. Long Beach, CA.

Why Join Giga

• The Pace: We're building at a speed most companies talk about but never actually operate at. If you've been bored somewhere else, you won't be here.
• The Impact: Every person at Giga touches the work that matters. No layers, no waiting for approval chains. You'll see your fingerprints on what we ship.
• The Team: A team of operators defining the future of AI infrastructure. We recruit A-players from the most innovative companies in the world, and they choose Giga because the work here means more.
• The Moment: AI doesn't run without power, and that's us. Giga is the picks and shovels behind the AI revolution. This industry is about to explode, and you'll be in the room where it's already happening.

What you'll do

As a Controls Engineer at Giga, you will own the design, development, and commissioning of control systems for mission-critical AI infrastructure. From PLC/HMI programming and panel design to control schematics and I/O architecture, you’ll be the person who makes the systems actually work — and keeps them running. If you love getting into the details of how complex systems talk to each other and take pride in building things that can’t afford to go down, this is your role.

Where you'll work

This role is based out of one of our offices (San Francisco, CA / Long Beach, CA / Houston, TX). We work in person because the best engineering happens when smart people are in the same room.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC and HMI programs for building automation and facility control systems
• Design control panels and produce detailed control schematics from concept through construction-ready documentation
• Develop and maintain network designs across a range of communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, and Modbus RTU
• Configure and commission VFD drive controls for motors, pumps, and HVAC systems
• Read and interpret P&ID diagrams to translate process requirements into control logic — including valve sequencing, motor control, and pump staging
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to integrate controls into broader facility infrastructure
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities
• Continuous improvement on existing Controls and BMS design and scale as needed.
• Troubleshoot control system issues in the field and drive resolution with minimal supervision
• Maintain accurate as-built documentation, program backups, and engineering records

Requirements

• 3+ years of hands-on PLC and HMI programming and commissioning experience. Rockwell Automation Suite Preferred
• Experience designing control panels and producing control schematics using AUTOCAD
• Solid understanding of general control systems principles including loop and PID control, Cooling systems control with building automation experience strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of VFD drive configuration and control. Allen Bradley and ABB drives a plus.
• Ability to read and work from P&ID diagrams, including valve functions, motor control, and pump control logic
• Familiarity with I/O design and at least one industrial communication protocol (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, or Modbus RTU)
• Strong learning agility — you pick up new platforms, tools, and systems quickly and without hand-holding
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related field (or equivalent hands‑on experience)

Bonus Points

• Experience with data center cooling control systems or other mission‑critical facility environments (hospitals, colocation, power generation)
• Knowledge of network architecture and industrial cybersecurity practices for OT/ICS environments
• Experience with additional communication protocols (BACnet, Profibus, PROFINET, OPC-UA)
• Familiarity with SCADA systems and historian platforms. Ignition experience preferred.
• Experience working in fast-paced build environments where schedules are tight and priorities shift
• Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
• Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Unlimited PTO
• Parental leave
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Team on‑sites where all offices come in‑person to collaborate

Pay Transparency

The range provided below is the role’s On Target Earnings ("OTE") range, meaning it includes both the commission / bonus target and annual base salary for the role (if applicable). This salary range may be inclusive of several career levels at Giga and will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate’s experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include 401(k) plan plus subsidized medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Salary Range

$90,000 - $122,000 USD

Who We Hire

Antifragile. You don't just survive chaos, you get better because of it. When things break, change, or move sideways, you don't freeze. You adapt faster than the problem evolves.

High Agency. You don't wait to be told what to do. You see the gap, you fill it. If something is blocking progress, you find a way around it, over it, or through it without asking for permission.

Executors. Ideas are cheap. We hire people who ship. You're the person who turns a whiteboard sketch into something real while everyone else is still scheduling the next meeting about it.

Bias to Action. Perfect is the enemy of done. You'd rather make a decision with 80% of the information and course correct than sit around waiting for 100% that never comes.

Speed. We move fast because the opportunity demands it. You're not reckless, but you understand that in this industry, the team that moves fastest wins. And you like winning.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Giga Energy is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. Giga Energy complies with all applicable labor laws, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other relevant state and federal regulations. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage applicants who require accommodations during the hiring process to contact us.