Senior PLC Controls Engineer - Robotics & Automation

Approach Venture; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Approach Venture seeks a Controls Engineer to lead electrical and controls architecture for advanced robotics in aerospace/defense manufacturing. This hands-on role covers electrical design, PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal), HMI development, panel layouts, wiring, and system integration from concept through deployment.

You will collaborate with mechanical and software engineers, design and commission automation cells, and travel up to 25% for deployments and customer support in demanding

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline required.
• 6+ years of controls engineering experience in automation or industrial electrical systems.
• Strong experience with industrial electrical control systems and panel layouts.
• Expert-level Siemens PLC programming using TIA Portal.
• Experience developing HMI applications for industrial equipment.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and controls architecture for industrial robotic automation systems.
• Design electrical panels, control hardware, and wiring layouts.
• Select components: PLCs, HMIs, networking, motors, drives, and safety systems.
• Develop schematics, one-line diagrams, bill of materials, and cable docs in AutoCAD.
• Program Siemens PLCs and HMIs using TIA Portal.
• Configure industrial networks and device integration.
• Develop motion control sequences, I/O mapping, alarms, and fault handling.
• Configure safety systems, motor controls, VFDs, and motion axes.
• Design operator interfaces with permissions and diagnostics.
• Integrate robots, sensors, vision systems, and field devices into cells.
• Collaborate with mechanical, software, and applications engineers.
• Support supplier selection and define technical requirements for outsourced electrical assemblies.
• Commission equipment, test, troubleshoot, and support deployments.
• Create engineering docs and design review materials.

Skills

Siemens PLC programming

HMI development

Electrical panel design

AutoCAD documentation

Industrial networking

Reading electrical drawings

System integration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

TIA Portal

AutoCAD

HMI software

Job description

Approach Venture seeks a Controls Engineer to lead electrical and controls architecture for advanced robotics in aerospace/defense manufacturing. This hands-on role covers electrical design, PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal), HMI development, panel layouts, wiring, and system integration from concept through deployment.

You will collaborate with mechanical and software engineers, design and commission automation cells, and travel up to 25% for deployments and customer support in demanding