Senior Controls Engineer - Mechatronics

Dandy; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Dental insurance

Mental health support

Paid time off

Job summary

Dandy, Milpitas, CA, seeks a Senior Controls Engineer - Mechatronics to design and implement the control architecture for next-generation prosthetic manufacturing SPMs. You will bridge high-level robotic theory with hardware, integrating actuators, sensors, and motion control to form the machine's nervous system in a high-volume precision environment.

This hybrid role covers concept to production, from FR specifications to FAT/SAT, and requires collaboration across mechanical, electrical,

Qualifications

• 6+ years in high-volume, precision manufacturing, automation, or robotics.
• B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in Mechatronics, Electrical, Robotics or related field.
• Strong experience with PLC programming and SCADA systems.
• Robot programming experience (FANUC/ABB/KUKA or similar).
• Backend programming in C++/Python and motion control knowledge.
• Proficient hardware/software interfaces (EtherCAT, Profinet, CANopen) and sensor integration.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design high-performance robotic/electromechanical systems from concept to production.
• Develop control software packages to program robotic and control equipment.
• Design and implement HMI/SCADA strategies for real-time data monitoring.
• Hands-on prototyping, wiring control cabinets, and integrating sensors/actuators.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams.
• Lead full project lifecycle from functional specs to FAT/SAT and vendor management.

Skills

PLC programming

Robot programming

C++/Python

SCADA

Sensor integration

Industrial interfaces

Education

B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in Mechatronics/Electrical/Robotics

Tools

Ignition

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

FANUC

ABB

KUKA

Creo/SolidWorks/Onshape

Job description

Dandy is transforming the massive and antiquated dental industry—an industry worth over $400B. Backed by some of the world’s leading venture capital firms, we’re on an ambitious mission to simplify and modernize every function of the dental practice through technology. As we expand our reach globally, Dandy is building the operating system for dental offices around the world—empowering clinicians and their teams with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practices, their people, and their patients.

About The Role

Dandy is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer - Mechatronics to join our elite Precision Robotics R&D team in Milpitas, CA. This role is the technical cornerstone for developing the integrated controls and mechatronic architecture of our next-generation Special Purpose Machines (SPM) for manufacturing custom-made prosthetics. As an engineer with 6+ years of experience, you will bridge the gap between high-level robotic theory and physical machine execution, responsible for building the "nervous system" of our machines. You will integrate actuators, sensors, and motion control into a cohesive, high-performance architecture. This is a hybrid role, where you will drive innovation from initial concept and rapid prototyping through to production-ready systems.

What You’ll Do

• System Architecture & Design: Architect complex, high-performance robotic and electromechanical systems from initial concept to high-volume production, ensuring micron-level accuracy.
• Control Software Development: Design and develop robust control software packages to program robotic and controls equipment in accordance with project specifications.
• HMI & SCADA Architecture: Architect and implement intuitive HMI and SCADA strategies to monitor real-time production data, streamline operator interfaces, and ensure repeatable process control.
• Hands-on Prototyping & Integration: Drive hands-on machine builds and iterative testing, including wiring control cabinets and integrating sensors and actuators, while acting as an onsite builder to optimize system performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as a technical PoC, bridging gaps between mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing teams. Partner with manufacturing, operations, and quality teams to drive design for Automation (DfA) principles.
• End-to-End Project Ownership: Lead the full project lifecycle, including generating functional requirement specifications (FRS), managing automation equipment providers, and overseeing Factory/Site Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT).

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: 6+ years of experience in high-volume, precision manufacturing, automation, or robotics, with a focus on system-level architecture and hardware/software integration. Must have experience owning multiple full lifecycle programs from concept to production deployment.
• Education: B.S./M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechatronics, Electrical, Robotics, or related engineering discipline.
• Technical Mastery:
  • Substantial experience with PLC programming and SCADA (e.g., Ignition, Allen-Bradley, or Siemens).
  • Proficiency in robot programming and offline simulation (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or similar).
  • Strong backend programming skills (C++/Python) and deep understanding of robotic kinematics, motion control, and simulation.
  • Expertise in hardware/software interfaces (e.g., EtherCAT, Profinet, CANopen) and sensor integration.
• Soft Skills: Proven track record of technical leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to manage automation vendors/integrators in fast-paced production environments. Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills.

Bonus Points For

• Deep expertise with high-performance motion controllers (e.g., Beckhoff/TwinCAT, ACS, Elmo).
• Experience integrating advanced vision-guided robotics, AOI (Automated Optical Inspection), and force-feedback/torque-verification systems.
• Demonstrated experience with safety standards such as ISO 10218 (Industrial) and ISO/TS 15066 (Collaborative) or ISO 13482.
• Proficiency in performing ROI/CAPEX analysis and managing full-scale factory deployments.
• Familiarity with CAD (e.g. Creo/SolidWorks/Onshape) for tooling design and GD&T principles.

Req ID: J-1239

For full-time positions, Dandy offers a wide range of best-in-class, comprehensive, and inclusive benefits tailored to each country where we operate. Our local benefits packages typically include healthcare, dental, mental health support, parental planning resources, retirement savings options, and generous paid time off—ensuring our team members are supported no matter where they live and work.

Dandy is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture that celebrates authenticity to win as one. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Dandy also fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We are dedicated to embracing challenges and creating an accessible, inclusive workplace for all individuals. If you require any accommodations for your interview or have any questions beforehand, rest assured that we will do everything we can to meet your needs. Visit Dandy Careers for more!

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