Controls Engineer, PLC Programming

OSARO; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Commuter benefits

Generous vacation

Parental leave

Work with robots

Job summary

OSARO is a San Francisco–based startup building machine learning software for industrial automation, powering robots in logistics and material handling centers. Our vision is to develop a solution that enables industrial robots to perform diverse tasks in environments ranging from warehouses to manufacturing floors.

We’re a diverse team of experts from over 15 countries, committed to nondiscrimination and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in PLC programming and industrial automation.
• Proven ability to manage controls programming across several projects simultaneously.
• Deep knowledge of major PLC platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, PLCNext, Siemens, Beckhoff).
• Experience specifying and integrating off-the-shelf controls hardware for cell control logic.
• Scripting skills (Python, C++, etc.) to interface industrial controls with high-level software.
• Familiarity with motion control components (motors, encoders, actuators, pneumatics, sensors).

Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and deploying robust PLC code for ML-enabled robotic automation systems across multiple projects.
• Integrating PLCs with off-the-shelf control devices and proprietary ML software.
• Collaborating with integration partners to co-develop, commission, and deploy robotic cells.
• Writing technical specifications and documentation for control logic and software architecture.
• Designing and deploying HMIs for operators to control and troubleshoot robotic workcells.
• Programming and validating safety logic and safety PLCs to meet machine safety standards.
• Debugging and characterizing PLC programs for complex electromechanical systems.
• Diagnosing control systems to support development and live demos.

Skills

PLC programming

Multi-project management

PLC platforms

Hardware integration

Python/C++ scripting

Motion control

Communication & teamwork

Startup agility

Job description

As a Controls Engineer PLC Programming, you will be participating in the research, development and deployment of AI enabled robot cells for material handling and logistics applications. You will collaborate with Operations, Software, and Machine Learning teams to research, design, integrate, test and deploy new robotic hardware including: robot cell designs, end effectors, cameras, lighting, HW control devices (PLCs, I/O couplers, sensors, etc), pneumatics, actuators, custom mechanisms.

We value candidates who are passionate about what they build, feel a strong sense of ownership over their work, are driven to succeed and appreciate a harmonious work environment.

What You'll be Doing

• Programming & Deployment: Developing, testing, and deploying robust PLC code for ML-enabled robotic automation systems across multiple concurrent projects.
• System Integration: Integrating PLCs with off-the-shelf control devices (I/O couplers, sensors, safety controllers, etc.) and our proprietary machine-learning software.
• Collaboration: Working alongside and managing integration partners to co-develop, commission, and deploy robotic cells.
• Documentation: Writing detailed technical specifications and documentation for control logic and software architecture.
• HMI Development: Designing, developing, and deploying intuitive Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) to provide operators with seamless control, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities for the robotic workcells.
• Safety Implementation: Programming and validating safety logic and safety PLCs to ensure the robotic workcells meet all industrial machine safety standards and fail-safe requirements.
• Testing & Commissioning: Debugging and characterizing PLC programs for complex electromechanical.
• Troubleshooting: Supporting internal engineering teams by diagnosing control systems to ensure equipment is operational for both development and live demos.

Must be able to travel 20-30% of the time and/or as needed during installation and deployment of new projects

Experience and Skills You'll Need

• 3+ years of professional experience in PLC programming and industrial automation.
• Multi-Project Management: Proven ability to manage controls programming across several projects simultaneously while effectively balancing competing priorities.
• PLC Expertise: Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with major PLC platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, PLCNext, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar).
• Hardware Integration: Experience specifying and integrating off-the-shelf controls hardware for cell control logic.
• Scripting: Software/Scripting skills (Python, C++, etc.) to help interface industrial controls with high-level PC-based software.
• Motion Control: Familiarity with motion control components such as motors, encoders, linear actuators, pneumatics, and sensors.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication with an emphasis on teamwork and organizational skills.
• Drive: A strong work ethic and a willingness to learn in a small, team-based environment.
• Agility: Experience (or enthusiasm for) working in a fast-paced, startup environment.
• Logistics: Ability to work from the San Francisco office 4-5 days a week.
• Travel: Willingness to travel (limited) for commissioning and deployment.
• Authorization: Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required, OSARO will not provide H1B visa

Bonus if You Have

• Electrical Experience: Experience with electrical system design, including electrical schematics, panel/cabinet design, and wiring.
• Pneumatics: Experience with the detailed design of pneumatic systems.
• Robotics: Experience programming articulated Industrial Robots (Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, etc.).
• Machine Vision: Experience with 2D & 3D Vision systems (Cognex, Datalogic, Keyence, Sick, Custom, etc.).

More About OSARO

OSARO is a San Francisco-based startup company building machine learning software for industrial automation, to power robots in logistics and material handling centers. Our vision is to develop a solution that enables industrial robots to perform diverse tasks in a wide range of environments. We are excited and driven to see the results of our efforts operating in the fast-growing field of autonomous material handling. We implement state-of-the-art techniques but constantly strive to build the simplest possible solution. OSARO is technique agnostic and always focused on the goal. We regularly review academic literature for novel strategies while steering clear of the hype. We’re focused on delighting our customers with systems that work like magic.

Our markets are global. That’s why OSARO employs a diverse team of experts in various fields from more than 15 countries, attracting talent from both innovative companies and the research labs of top-ranked engineering universities. We are naturally curious, love healthy debate, and respect varying points of view. At OSARO, we strive to be champions for equality. We believe we can serve as a model for diversity in the tech industry by emphasizing policies of nondiscrimination and inclusion at every step.

We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer Who Offers

• Health, dental, vision, and commuter benefits
• Generous, flexible vacation time
• Excellent paid parental leave policy with the option for additional reduced and unpaid leave
• The chance to work with robots!

The above full-time position is available immediately.

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.

Actual compensation is based on various factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, and experience. In addition to a base salary, this role is also eligible for benefits and equity.