Senior Controls Engineer

Samsonrose; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Samsonrose in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the controls architecture for next‑generation warehouse automation systems. You will own the controls backlog from day one, work hands on in a Beckhoff TwinCAT environment, and contribute to the design, debugging, and commissioning of large‑scale robotics, ASRS, conveyance, and sortation solutions.

This role is an individual contributor with strong emphasis on hardware and software troubleshooting inside

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field or equivalent controls engineering experience.
• 5+ years of experience developing industrial control systems.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Beckhoff PLCs and TwinCAT; ability to program Structured Text.
• Capability to troubleshoot both hardware and software inside electrical control cabinets.

Responsibilities

• Own the controls engineering backlog from day one in an agile environment.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and commission large‑scale automation systems combining robotics, ASRS, conveyance and sortation.
• Work hands‑on within Beckhoff TwinCAT to deliver robust controls architecture and hardware integration.
• Travel up to 30% for onsite system commissioning and customer deployments.

Skills

Structured Text (IEC 61131-3)

Beckhoff PLCs

Troubleshooting hardware and software

Industrial automation background

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/CS/Robotics or equivalent controls engineering

Tools

TwinCAT

Job description

An innovative automation company has engaged us to find a Senior Controls Engineer to help build the next generation of intelligent warehouse automation systems. In this hands‑on individual contributor role, you'll take ownership of the controls engineering backlog from day one, working within an established Beckhoff TwinCAT environment in an agile development setting. You'll play a key role in developing, troubleshooting, and commissioning large‑scale automation systems that combine robotics, ASRS, conveyance, and sortation technologies to redefine modern material handling.

A bit about the company

• Strategic Growth Stage: The company is rapidly expanding its engineering organization as demand for warehouse automation continues to accelerate. This role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact while helping scale a cutting‑edge automation platform.
• Mission‑Driven Innovation: The company is transforming logistics through flexible automation by replacing traditional fixed conveyors and storage systems with intelligent, spatially aware robotics. Their technology enables dynamic storage, retrieval, and movement of goods, helping customers address labor shortages, rising operational costs, and increasing efficiency demands.
• Impactful Work: Engineers work on highly integrated systems that combine advanced robotics, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), conveyance, sortation, and intelligent software into a unified automation platform. This is an opportunity to contribute to real‑world systems that are deployed across large‑scale industrial environments.
• Career Opportunities: This is a hands‑on engineering role with significant ownership and technical responsibility. You'll work directly on machine development, controls architecture, hardware integration, and onsite commissioning, gaining exposure to large‑scale automation projects that are uncommon in many traditional controls engineering positions.

We're looking for someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Robotics, or equivalent controls engineering experience.
• 5+ years of experience developing industrial control systems.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Beckhoff PLCs and TwinCAT (required).
• Proficiency programming in Structured Text (IEC 61131‑3).
• Comfortable troubleshooting both hardware and software, including work inside electrical control cabinets.
• Background in industrial automation, preferably within material handling, robotics, warehouse automation, or similar machine automation environments.
• Willing and able to travel up to 30% for onsite system commissioning and customer deployments.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area.

If this role is of interest to you, please apply with your current resume. We will review your background and reach out to schedule an initial call.