Senior Automation & Controls Engineer (Beckhoff)

Mainspringenergy; Edison (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainspring Energy in Menlo Park, CA seeks a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to design and deliver industrial automation systems using Beckhoff Platform. This role spans electrical design to controls software deployment, with 20-25% on upgrading existing equipment and collaboration with manufacturing, electrical, mechanical, and software teams.

You should have 5–10 years of industrial automation experience, hands-on PLC work with Beckhoff TwinCAT and Allen-Bradley, and strong IEC 61131-3

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience in industrial automation or controls engineering.
• Hands-on experience with PLC platforms such as Beckhoff TwinCAT (TwinCAT 3), Allen-Bradley.
• Strong proficiency in IEC 61131-3 with emphasis on Structured Text.
• Experience with motion control, robotics, or high-performance automation systems.
• Familiarity with EtherCAT architecture and performance tuning.
• Experience with industrial networks (OT networks).
• Experience working alongside MES, SCADA, or higher-level software systems.
• Prior experience acting as a technical lead on projects.

Responsibilities

• System Design & Architecture: Lead the design of complex automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and robotics.
• Programming & Implementation: Program and debug control systems using Beckhoff, with Rockwell/Siemens/Schneider as options.
• Project Execution: Own engineering projects from conception to completion, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze manufacturing processes to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
• Safety & Compliance: Design and deploy safety interlock systems and ensure NFPA 79, SEMI, UL508A compliance.
• Collaboration & Mentorship: Work with mechanical, hardware, and software teams; may mentor junior staff.
• Maintenance & Upgrades: Dedicate 20–25% of time to maintenance, improvement, and upgrading existing equipment.

Skills

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Allen-Bradley

IEC 61131-3

Structured Text

Git version control

Motion control

Robotics

EtherCAT

Industrial networks

Technical leadership

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Mainspring Energy in Menlo Park, CA seeks a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to design and deliver industrial automation systems using Beckhoff Platform. This role spans electrical design to controls software deployment, with 20-25% on upgrading existing equipment and collaboration with manufacturing, electrical, mechanical, and software teams.

You should have 5–10 years of industrial automation experience, hands-on PLC work with Beckhoff TwinCAT and Allen-Bradley, and strong IEC 61131-3