Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

Sangha Partners; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Equity

Relocation assistance

Job summary

A dynamic robotics startup in San Mateo seeks a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer for designing and implementing robotic automation systems. You will collaborate with elite engineers to integrate automation and AI technologies. Ideal candidates have 3-7 years of relevant experience, proficiency in C/C++ and Python, and strong knowledge of industrial standards. This role offers a competitive salary and equity, along with relocation assistance.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in automation or controls engineering.
• Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, actuators, and vision systems.
• Proficiency in C/C++ and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain robotic automation systems.
• Develop automated test and data-collection systems for AI training.
• Integrate PLCs, robots, sensors, and actuators into cohesive systems.

Skills

Experience in automation or controls engineering

Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, actuators

Proven track record with production automation systems

Proficiency in C/C++

Proficiency in Python

Knowledge of industrial standards (EtherCAT, Modbus, CAN)

Job description

Base pay range

$150,000.00/yr - $300,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Sangha Partners

We’re partnering with a well-funded robotics startup developing next-generation automation systems that merge AI-driven intelligence with classical industrial controls. Their mission is to bridge the gap between modern machine learning and real-world factory robotics — enabling more adaptable, scalable, and intelligent production environments.

This is a small, world-class team working on cross-disciplinary problems at the intersection of robotics, automation, and AI, and they’re looking for a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to join onsite in San Mateo.

Overview

You’ll design and implement advanced robotic automation systems, integrating intelligent control into real production environments — think robotic arms, sensors, and vision systems all talking seamlessly through modern control frameworks.

You’ll collaborate closely with robotics and ML engineers to build automated data-collection systems, test stands, and production-scale automation cells that directly feed AI model development.

This is a ground-floor opportunity to own the controls layer in a fast-moving, technically elite environment.

What You’ll Do

• Design, implement, and maintain robotic automation systems
• Develop automated test and data-collection systems for AI training
• Integrate PLCs, robots, sensors, and actuators into cohesive systems
• Own the controls aspect of hardware + software integration
• Work directly with founding engineers in a flat, collaborative structure

Must Haves

• 3-7 years of experience in automation or controls engineering
• Strong experience with PLCs, HMIs, sensors, actuators, and vision systems
• Proven track record building and sustaining production automation systems
• Proficiency in C/C++ (for low-level control) and Python (for automation workflows)
• Knowledge of industrial standards and plant protocols (EtherCAT, Modbus, CAN, etc.)

Why This Role

• Combine industrial automation + AI-driven robotics in one role
• Work directly with elite engineers and founders
• Hands-on, high-impact technical scope
• Competitive salary + equity + relocation to San Mateo, CA

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time