Senior Controls Engineer – Precision Machine Automation

Blue Origin; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation provided

Job summary

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced controls engineer to join a senior, hands-on team. You will own the control-system architecture for high-precision machines, write PLC logic, commission hardware on the floor, and ensure safety and reliability across an active production fleet.

You will collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and process engineering to deliver production-ready solutions, with opportunities to influence future platform designs and performance targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in EE, mechanical engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• 5+ years in machine tool automation and industrial controls.
• Experience with PLC programming and HMI design.
• Experience creating, modifying, and delivering electrical schematics and P&ID drawings.
• Experience with industrial control networks (EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP).
• Servo motion control with drive sizing, tuning, and encoder feedback.
• Knowledge of machine safety requirements and control logic implementation.
• Ability to troubleshoot a machine in operation.
• Team-oriented mindset and inclusive collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Own the control-system architecture of a two-controller machine, including motion and PLC coordination.
• Develop and maintain PLC software and HMI designs across subsystems.
• Develop and maintain multi-axis motion control with master/slave coupling and servo tuning.
• Develop and troubleshoot high-resolution encoder feedback paths across a fleet.
• Build and maintain error-mapping and calibration routines for geometric error correction.
• Create machine-side software in C++ or similar for real-time execution.
• Draft electrical schematics, P&ID, and cabinet layouts with wiring routing.
• Coordinate with electricians for cabinet assembly and fieldbus configuration.
• Plan and maintain version control for drawings, code, and configurations.
• Lead subsystem and machine-level testing, data reduction, and analysis.
• Perform root-cause analysis on control failures and drive corrective actions.
• Support commissioning, bring-up, and retrofits of machines in production.

Skills

Machine tool automation

PLC programming

HMI design

Electrical schematics & P&ID

Industrial networks

Servo motion control

Machine safety

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in EE/Mech Eng/CS

Tools

TwinCAT 3

Job description

Blue Origin is seeking an experienced controls engineer to join a senior, hands-on team. You will own the control-system architecture for high-precision machines, write PLC logic, commission hardware on the floor, and ensure safety and reliability across an active production fleet.

You will collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and process engineering to deliver production-ready solutions, with opportunities to influence future platform designs and performance targets.