Controls Hardware Engineer

pacificfusion; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

6% employer 401k matching

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Pacific Fusion is seeking a Controls Hardware Engineer in California to help design and implement the main control system for a pulser-driven inertial fusion project. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to capture requirements, translate them into hardware specs, and develop PLC, HMI, and power-system solutions.

The role emphasizes safety, reliability, and documentation, with opportunities to lead design reviews and contribute to continuous improvement while working on a frontier

Qualifications

• Experience with PLC-based control systems design and implementation.
• Ability to translate requirements into detailed hardware specs and test criteria.
• Experience with safety interlock and process control logic.
• Familiarity with NFPA standards and functional safety (IEC 61511).
• Experience with 24VDC and 480VAC power systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop control architectures for safety-critical and utility systems.
• Design electrical schematics, control panels, and wiring diagrams.
• Configure and commission PLCs, HMIs, and communications hardware.
• Implement and verify safety interlock and process control logic in line with NFPA/IEC standards.
• Conduct system-level integration testing and commissioning support.

Skills

PLC programming

VFDs and servo drives

Motion control systems

NFPA/IEC safety knowledge

Requirements analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

EPLAN

CAD software

Industrial panel design

Job description

About Pacific Fusion

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders.

Why This Role Matters

As a Controls Hardware Engineer, you will be an instrumental part of interfacing between project teams and gathering controls oriented requirements. Primarily you will take those requirements and design significant parts of our main control system. This role requires an individual who has a passion for controls engineering, and would like to grow in hardware design and implementation.

What You’ll Do

Requirements & System Definition

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and system stakeholders to develop, document, and validate control system requirements
• Translate functional and safety requirements into detailed control logic, hardware specifications, and test criteria
• Participate in design and hazard reviews to ensure system requirements align with performance, safety, and reliability goals

Control System Design and Implementation

• Develop control architectures for safety-critical and utility systems
• Design electrical schematics, control panels, and wiring diagrams for 24VDC control and 480VAC drive power systems
• Specify and integrate PLC, HMI, and communication hardware
• Configure and commission VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
• Implement and verify safety interlock and process control logic in accordance with SIS and NFPA standards

Software Development and Integration

• Develop and test PLC programs using structured and modular programming practices
• Conduct system-level integration testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning support
• Work with instrumentation and field devices to ensure proper control and feedback integration

Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure system designs comply with NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and SIS/IEC 61511 standards
• Develop technical documentation including I/O lists, control narratives, functional requirements, and validation test procedures
• Support safety validation, risk assessments, and functional testing throughout the system lifecycle

Collaboration and Technical Leadership

• Serve as a technical point of contact for controls-related aspects of multidisciplinary projects
• Work closely with fabrication, installation, and operations teams to ensure design intent and performance goals are achieved
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods, documentation standards, and controls best practices

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation or control system design
• Proficiency with PLC-based systems
• Experience with VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
• Familiarity with systems operating at 24VDC and 480VAC
• Strong understanding of NFPA 70/70E/79 and functional safety (IEC 61511) standards
• Proven ability to develop system requirements and translate them into detailed design documentation
• Industrial Panel/Cabinet design experience

Bonus Points For

• Experience with safety PLCs and interlock logic design
• Background in large scientific facilities, or other high-reliability environments
• CAD experience, EPLAN experience is a significant plus!

Pay Range:

$138,100 - $207,100 USD

Total Compensation & Benefits for Eligible Employees

• Industry-competitive salary
• Equity plan
• 6% employer 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits.

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job applic