PLC Controls Engineer - Aerospace Manufacturing

Approach Venture; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Approach Venture seeks a Controls Engineer to lead electrical and controls architecture for advanced robotics in aerospace/defense manufacturing. This hands-on role covers electrical design, PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal), HMI development, panel layouts, wiring, and system integration from concept through deployment.

You will collaborate with mechanical and software engineers, design and commission automation cells, and travel up to 25% for deployments and customer support in demanding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline required.
• 6+ years of controls engineering experience in automation or industrial electrical systems.
• Strong experience with industrial electrical control systems and panel layouts.
• Expert-level Siemens PLC programming using TIA Portal.
• Experience developing HMI applications for industrial equipment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and controls architecture for industrial robotic automation systems.
• Design electrical panels, control hardware, and wiring layouts.
• Select components: PLCs, HMIs, networking, motors, drives, and safety systems.
• Develop schematics, one-line diagrams, bill of materials, and cable docs in AutoCAD.
• Program Siemens PLCs and HMIs using TIA Portal.
• Configure industrial networks and device integration.
• Develop motion control sequences, I/O mapping, alarms, and fault handling.
• Configure safety systems, motor controls, VFDs, and motion axes.
• Design operator interfaces with permissions and diagnostics.
• Integrate robots, sensors, vision systems, and field devices into cells.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and applications engineers.
• Support supplier selection and define technical requirements for outsourced electrical assemblies.
• Commission equipment, test, troubleshoot, and support deployments.
• Create engineering docs and design review materials.

Skills

Siemens PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical panel design

AutoCAD documentation

Industrial networking

Reading electrical drawings

System integration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

TIA Portal

AutoCAD

HMI software

Job description

Job Description

Controls Engineer - Design Advanced Industrial Robotics & Automation Systems

Austin, TX | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a growing venture-backed robotics company developing advanced automation systems for aerospace and defense manufacturing. The team designs, builds, and deploys robotic production equipment that helps customers improve manufacturing quality, efficiency, and repeatability across critical industrial operations. As a Controls Engineer, you will lead the electrical and controls architecture for complex automation systems from concept through deployment. This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for electrical design, PLC programming, HMI development, hardware selection, commissioning, and system integration. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver production-ready robotic systems operating in demanding manufacturing environments.

About Us

We are an early-stage robotics company building industrial automation solutions for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Our engineering team develops complete robotic systems that combine mechanical design, electrical engineering, controls software, and system integration to solve complex manufacturing challenges. This is an opportunity to have direct technical ownership while helping shape next-generation automation platforms.

Job Duties

• Lead the electrical and controls architecture for industrial robotic automation systems.
• Design electrical panels, control hardware, and system wiring layouts.
• Select electrical components, PLC hardware, HMIs, networking equipment, motors, drives, and safety systems.
• Develop electrical schematics, one-line diagrams, block diagrams, bills of materials, and cable documentation using AutoCAD.
• Program Siemens PLCs and HMIs using Siemens TIA Portal.
• Configure industrial communication networks and device integration.
• Develop motion control sequences, I/O mapping, machine logic, alarms, and fault handling.
• Configure safety systems, motor controls, VFDs, and motion axes.
• Design operator interfaces with user permissions, diagnostics, and production workflows.
• Integrate robots, sensors, vision systems, and field devices into complete automation cells.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and applications engineers throughout system development.
• Support supplier selection and define technical requirements for outsourced electrical assemblies.
• Commission equipment, perform testing, troubleshoot controls issues, and support customer deployments.
• Create engineering documentation, operating procedures, and design review materials.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 6+ years of professional experience in controls engineering, automation, or industrial electrical systems.
• Strong experience designing industrial electrical control systems and panel layouts.
• Expert-level Siemens PLC programming experience using TIA Portal.
• Experience developing HMI applications for industrial equipment.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols.
• Proficiency creating electrical schematics and documentation in AutoCAD.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Solid understanding of control systems, motion control, and industrial automation.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating across engineering disciplines.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Preferred Experience

• Experience developing robotic automation systems for aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Background supporting low-volume or high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Experience programming industrial robots, with Fanuc experience preferred.
• Experience with additional robot platforms such as Yaskawa.
• Knowledge of UL and CE electrical design standards.
• Experience integrating mechanical and electrical assemblies.
• Manufacturing process knowledge including welding, drilling, fastening, material handling, or pick-and-place automation.
• Experience developing engineering standards, electrical design guidelines, and PLC coding standards.

Why Join Us

• Competitive compensation package.
• Equity and the opportunity to influence a growing robotics company.
• Work on cutting-edge automation systems supporting aerospace and defense customers.
• High level of technical ownership across the full product lifecycle.
• Collaborative engineering environment with significant exposure to multidisciplinary development.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and paid time off.

Compensation Details

$120,000 - $160,000