Senior Controls Development Engineer

Kindredventures; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 135,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Corporate Gym Membership

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aalo Atomics is seeking a Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer to design and build automated manufacturing lines for modular nuclear reactors. You will architect control systems, program PLCs, integrate robotic cells, and commission production equipment on the factory floor.

Lead factory automation strategy and deliver production-ready systems from concept to high-rate operation. The role requires 7+ years in industrial controls, strong PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise, and hands-on commissioning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in industrial controls engineering, automation, or robotics integration.
• Expert-level PLC programming on major platforms (Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development (FactoryTalk, Ignition, TIA Portal).
• Hands-on experience commissioning automated production equipment through FAT/SAT and production ramp.
• Solid understanding of servo/motion control and robotics integration.
• Experience executing safety risk assessments for automated processes and safeguards.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect PLC/HMI-based control systems for automated and semi-automated manufacturing lines.
• Develop and program PLC logic, HMI screens, and SCADA systems.
• Specify instrumentation, sensors, actuators, drives, and motion control systems.
• Integrate robotic systems into manufacturing cells with safety protocols.
• Commission equipment on the factory floor from FAT/SAT through production handoff.
• Develop system specifications, I/O lists, and network drawings for controls projects.
• Implement industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus).
• Design safety systems per NFPA 79, ISO 13849, IEC 62443.
• Collaborate with MES/IT on data acquisition, recipe management, and traceability.
• Drive schedule and throughput; identify risks early and maintain milestones.
• Document standards for robot programming and factory-wide deployment.
• Troubleshoot electromechanical systems and perform root cause analysis.
• Mentor junior controls engineers and technicians.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Robotics integration

Safety risk assessments

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechatronics

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Beckhoff PLCs

FactoryTalk / Ignition / TIA Portal

Job description

About Aalo Atomics

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we’re rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world’s first fleet of advanced microreactors. Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

About the role:

As a Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer at Aalo Atomics, you will design and build the automated and semi-automated manufacturing lines that produce our modular nuclear reactors. You will architect control systems from the ground up, program PLCs and HMIs, integrate robotic cells and motion systems, and commission production equipment on the factory floor. This is a senior technical role responsible for defining Aalo's factory automation strategy and delivering production-ready manufacturing systems from concept through high-rate operation.

Responsibilities:

• Design and architect PLC/HMI-based control systems for automated and semi-automated manufacturing lines (welding, machining, assembly, material handling, inspection)
• Develop and program PLC logic (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar), HMI screens, and SCADA systems
• Specify and select instrumentation, sensors, actuators, drives, motion control systems, safety devices, and industrial networking hardware
• Integrate robotic systems (articulated arms, cobots, gantries) into manufacturing cells with appropriate safety protocols.
• Commission and validate production equipment on the factory floor — from FAT/SAT through full production handoff
• Develop system functional specifications, control narratives, I/O lists, network architecture drawings, and panel design packages
• Implement industrial communication networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus)
• Design safety systems in compliance with relevant machine safety standards (NFPA 79, ISO 13849, IEC 62443)
• Collaborate with MES/IT teams on data acquisition, recipe management, and production traceability systems
• Drive schedule and throughput on automation equipment — identify risks early, solve problems fast, and keep commissioning milestones on track
• Develop and document standards in the factory for robot programming, PLC/Robot communications, safety systems, wiring and pneumatics.
• Troubleshoot complex electromechanical systems and drive root cause analysis for production issues
• Mentor junior controls engineers and technicians; establish controls standards and templates for factory-wide deployment and maintenance

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline
• 7+ years of hands-on experience in industrial controls engineering, automation, or robotics integration
• Expert-level PLC programming (Structured Text, Ladder Logic, Function Block) and/or IPCs on at least one major platform (Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff)
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development (FactoryTalk, Ignition, TIA Portal, or similar)
• Hands-on experience commissioning automated production equipment through FAT/SAT and production ramp
• Solid understanding of servo/motion control and industrial robotics integration
• Experience executing safety risk assessments for automated processes and build-in safeguards that minimize risks
• Experience successfully working cross functionally to deliver automation systems from concept through production handoff

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments (eg. NQA-1, AS9100, ISO13485, IS9001)
• Experience integrating controls with MES/ERP platforms
• Experience with IPCs for use in automation and control
• Background in automated welding systems (orbital TIG, electron beam, laser)
• Experience in a greenfield or major capital-project factory buildout
• Knowledge of IEC 61131-3 programming best practices and ISA-88 batch standards
• TÜV Functional Safety Engineer (FSEng) or CFSE certification
• Experience building controls standards and templates for multi-line factory deployments
• Experience developing tech packages for industrial robots (Kuka, Fanuc, ABB)
• Experience integrating robotics with CNC equipment
• Experience with offline robot programming and virtual commissioning simulations
• Background in routine robot data acquisition and analysis
• Prior experience in a vertically integrated hardware company where engineers build what they design
• Experience writing code (Python, C++, Rust) and ability to utilize AI effectively
• Strong communication skills to convey technical reasoning and mission-critical messaging clearly

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in confined spaces and at heights.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in various positions
• Use of welding PPE (hood, FR clothing, gloves) and other PPE as required.
• Factory/shop floor environment with exposure to noise, fumes, heat, UV/arc flash, and moving equipment.

Why Join Aalo?

• Lead high-impact programs shaping the future of nuclear energy.
• Work alongside top experts in advanced reactors and clean energy.
• Be part of a fast-moving, execution-driven startup environment.

Requirements

Must be based in the United States

Must be willing to work on-site at our headquarters in Austin, Texas

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

We're building technology that will help reshape the future of energy. The pace is fast, the problems are difficult, and the expectations are high. Successful team members consistently demonstrate:

Extreme Ownership

You take responsibility for outcomes, not just tasks. You proactively identify problems, drive solutions, and follow through.

A Passion for Solving Hard Problems

You are energized by challenges that others avoid and enjoy finding practical solutions to complex technical issues.

A Sense of Urgency

You move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and maintain momentum while balancing quality and execution.

What We Offer

Competitive salary starting at $135,000

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Corporate Gym Membership

Additional Information:

Aalo Atomics provides a collaborative and supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, intellectually challenging careers, and competitive compensation. Aalo Atomics is an equal opportunity employer and considers all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens or U.S. Persons in compliance with 10 CFR Part 810 and may not hold non-compliant foreign citizenships.