Lead Controls Engineer

Upwing Energy; Cerritos (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Upwing Energy is seeking a Controls Engineer to lead the architectural and detailed design of supervisory control for the subsurface compressor system, including the variable speed drive and system interfaces.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in motor controls or industrial automation, strong control theory knowledge, and experience with Allen-Bradley PLC systems and protocols such as CAN, MODBUS, TCP/IP. Collaborative engineering work and robust documentation are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Controls or Electrical Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in motor controls engineering or industrial automation.
• Strong knowledge of control theory and control algorithms.
• Understanding of Allen Bradley PLC systems and programming.
• Experience with control communication protocols, e.g. CAN, MODBUS, TCP/IP.
• Proficient in one or more programming languages, e.g. C/C++/Python.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with application and setup of PLCs.

Responsibilities

• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on organized, documented, maintainable, reusable code.
• Work with cross-functional teams to integrate control algorithms into existing systems.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to ensure compatibility between control algorithms and hardware.
• Design, simulate and test control algorithms for electric motors and variable speed drives.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for the VSD and system interface designs.
• Analyze motor and system performance data and make recommendations for improvements.
• Coordinate with the supplier of our VSD via technical specifications and meetings.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends and technologies in motor and system controls.

Skills

Control theory

Algorithms design

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Programming languages (C/C++/Python)

Allen-Bradley PLC systems

CAN/MODBUS/TCPIP

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Controls or EE

Tools

PLC programming tools

CAN/MODBUS/TCP/IP interfaces

Job description

Upwing Energy is developing and commercializing first-of-their-kind Subsurface Compressor Systems (SCS) for natural gas extraction. Our development efforts combine exciting engineering challenges in turbomachinery; rotordynamics; high-speed and high-power electric motors; power electronics; industrial automation; aerodynamics; structural, thermal and fluid flow simulations; mechanical design and design-for-manufacturability.

General Purpose of Job:

The ideal Controls Engineer is experienced in the design, build, implementation and sustaining of electromechanical drive and system controls. This position will own the architectural and detailed design of the supervisory control and communications for our subsurface compression system, the design of the variable speed drive, and interfaces for our subsurface compression system. Throughout the product development process, the Controls Engineer will provide design, analysis and test contributions to the team from a controls perspective as well as work with the engineering and test teams to correlate models to test results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Architect, write, and debug PLC code with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable.
• Work with cross-functional teams to integrate control algorithms into existing systems.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers to ensure compatibility between control algorithms and hardware.
• Design, simulate and test control algorithms for electric motors and variable speed drives.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation for the variable speed drive and system interface designs.
• Analyze motor and system performance data and make recommendations for improvements.
• Coordinate with the supplier of our variable speed drive via technical specifications and engineering coordination meetings.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends and technologies in the field of motor and system controls.

Skills, Experience, Education, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Controls or Electrical Engineering
• 5+ years of experience in motor controls engineering or industrial automation.
• Strong knowledge of control theory and control algorithms.
• Understanding of Allen Bradley PLC systems and programming.
• Experience with control communication protocols, e.g. CAN, MODBUS, TCP/IP.
• Proficient in one or more modern computer programming languages, e.g. C/C++/Python.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience with application and setup of programable logic controllers (PLC).

Intangibles Sought:

• Must have the initiative to take ownership and drive results.
• Must have fundamental curiosity as to how things work.
• Drive to constantly learn new things and apply them to development and improvement of analysis methods.
• Determination to investigate and understand root cause of problems.
• Ability to communicate problems, analysis and results clearly to a general engineering audience of various specializations.
• Be open to new ideas and input from others in a collegial, team environment.
• Strong organizational skills.
• High integrity, commitment and honesty.
• Readiness to do whatever task is necessary to move the product/team/company forward.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

Most time will be spent in an office environment or shop floor. Personal protective equipment is required in designated areas. Minimal travel will be required to support products in the field.