Senior PLC Controls Engineering Lead (Remote)

Symbotic; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Symbotic seeks a Senior Manager, Industrial Controls Engineering to lead a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining PLC-based control software for industrial automation systems.

Reporting to the Director of Industrial Control Systems R&D, this role blends hands-on technical leadership with people management, project accountability, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical/Computer/Mechatronics or related field.
• 7+ years in industrial automation and people management.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell PLC platforms, Motion Control, Safety PLC, OT networking.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA, preferably Ignition.
• Exposure to AI assisted PLC development, simulation tools, Digital Twins, and automated PLC testing.
• Ability to balance hands-on technical work with people leadership responsibilities.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Directly manage a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers, providing day-to-day guidance and technical direction.
• Own delivery of PLC software milestones across multiple projects and programs.
• Conduct regular 1:1s, performance reviews, goal setting, and career development planning.
• Communicate status, risks, and technical tradeoffs clearly to stakeholders.
• Lead prototyping, testing, validation, and documentation of new control system concepts and electrical designs.
• Ensure high-quality, reliable, and maintainable PLC software design.
• Promote best practices in modular programming, version control, diagnostics, and documentation.
• Drive adoption of AI assisted programming, simulation, Digital Twins, and automated testing.
• Support troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis for complex or high‑impact issues.

Skills

Team leadership

PLC programming

Rockwell Automation

HMI/SCADA

AI / Digital Twins / automation

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Electrical/Computer/Mechatronics/Automation Engineering

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Inductive Automation Ignition

Motion Control

Safety PLC Systems

OT networking

Job description

Symbotic seeks a Senior Manager, Industrial Controls Engineering to lead a team of 6–8 PLC R&D Controls Engineers responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining PLC-based control software for industrial automation systems.

Reporting to the Director of Industrial Control Systems R&D, this role blends hands-on technical leadership with people management, project accountability, and cross‑functional collaboration.