Industrial Automation Software Engineer: PC & Controls

Pivotal Systems; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal Systems in Fremont, CA is seeking an Automation Software Engineer to specialize in the integration of PC-based software, industrial controllers, and instrumentation for control of complex process equipment.

You will design, develop, test, and support automation platforms, implement Beckhoff TwinCAT, IEC 61131-3 languages, EtherCAT communications, and robust PC-to-controller interfaces, with emphasis on real-time performance, data logging, and scalable software architecture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics.
• Approximately 3+ years of experience in industrial automation.
• Strong understanding of PC-based automation and hardware integration.
• Experience with PLC or industrial controller programming.
• Experience with serial and Ethernet-based equipment communications.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and I/O drawings.
• Excellent troubleshooting and debugging skills.
• Ability to work with prototype and production equipment.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and maintain software for automated process control.
• Develop PC-based automation using Beckhoff TwinCAT and IEC languages.
• Implement real-time control and ensure robust communications with PLCs and instruments.
• Configure EtherCAT networks and device mapping.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software interfaces and perform commissioning.
• Develop data acquisition, logging, and operator interfaces.

Skills

Beckhoff TwinCAT

PLC programming

C# / .NET

C++

Python

IEC 61131-3

TwinCAT 3

EtherCAT

Modbus RTU/TCP

OPC UA

RS-232 / RS-485

SQL databases

Real-time control

PID control

Motion control

Data acquisition systems

Git

Visual Studio

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics

Tools

Visual Studio

Git

Job description

Pivotal Systems in Fremont, CA is seeking an Automation Software Engineer to specialize in the integration of PC-based software, industrial controllers, and instrumentation for control of complex process equipment.

You will design, develop, test, and support automation platforms, implement Beckhoff TwinCAT, IEC 61131-3 languages, EtherCAT communications, and robust PC-to-controller interfaces, with emphasis on real-time performance, data logging, and scalable software architecture.