Senior Control Engineer

Durin

El Segundo (CA)

On-site

USD 150,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

100% healthcare coverage

Paid meals at headquarters

Assistance finding nearby housing

Job summary

A cutting-edge technology firm in El Segundo is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to design and program PLC logic for advanced drilling systems. You will work closely with mechanical and software engineers to ensure seamless integration. The ideal candidate has over 5 years in industrial PLC programming, especially with IEC 61131-3 languages. This full-time role offers competitive pay between $150,000 and $180,000, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and the ability to own significant projects from day one.

Qualifications

5+ years of experience programming and commissioning industrial PLCs.
Deep familiarity with IEC 61131-3 languages, especially Structured Text and Ladder.
Hands-on experience with hydraulics, servos, and safety interlocks.

Responsibilities

Architect and program PLC logic for drill cycle sequencing and safety interlocks.
Commission control systems on physical rigs; wiring checkout and I/O validation.
Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams for reliable integration.

Skills

Industrial PLC programming

IEC 61131-3 languages

Industrial networking

Debugging

Tools

Beckhoff

Siemens

Allen‑Bradley

EtherCAT

Job description

Base pay range

$160,000.00/yr - $180,000.00/yr

Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on civilization's progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the foundation of the global supply chain.

We’re looking for a Senior Controls Engineer who wants to own the brains of our next‑generation drill rigs, building the PLC logic that makes heavy equipment safe, reliable, and ready for autonomy.

Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Architect and program PLC logic for drill cycle sequencing, safety interlocks, mud mixing, spindle/feed coordination, and rod handling.
Implement state machines, PID loops, and interlock matrices in IEC 61131-3 languages (Structured Text, Ladder, FBD).
Commission control systems on physical rigs: wiring checkout, I/O validation, drive tuning, field debugging.
Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to define sensor/actuator requirements and ensure reliable integration.
Design alarm handling, recovery routines, and HMI interfaces for drillers.
Ensure compliance with industrial safety standards (STO, SIL, lockout/tagout).
Support networking and fieldbus integration (EtherCAT, CANopen, OPC UA).
Mentor embedded/software teammates on PLC fundamentals and best practices.
Travel to test sites for commissioning and field support (~20–50%).

WHO YOU ARE

5+ years of experience programming and commissioning industrial PLCs (Beckhoff, Siemens, Allen‑Bradley, or similar).
Deep familiarity with IEC 61131-3 languages, especially Structured Text and Ladder.
Hands‑on experience commissioning machinery with hydraulics, servos, and safety interlocks.
Strong knowledge of fieldbuses (EtherCAT, CAN, Profibus, Modbus) and industrial networking.
Experience tuning closed‑loop systems (PID, torque/force control).
Comfort working in rugged field environments with heavy equipment.
Strong debugging instincts and ability to rapidly troubleshoot I/O, sensors, and motion issues.
“Get it working, get it safe, then get it elegant” mindset.

Bonus Points For

Experience with drilling rigs, mining equipment, robotics, or other heavy machinery.
Knowledge of safety PLCs, SIL/PL standards, and functional safety certification.
Background in both PLC controls + embedded/robotics software.
Prior work on automation systems that integrate with edge/cloud telemetry.

COMPENSATION

This role will pay $150,000–$180,000, plus equity, so you have a real stake in Durin's success. Everyone is an owner, so as the company grows, your equity grows too.

Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You'll have the freedom and resources to try new things and iterate quickly. We're a high‑growth company without middle management, which means fast decision making and the ability for you to own major initiatives from day one.

We also offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are paid for when you're at headquarters, and we can help you find housing nearby.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS