Staff Controls & Automation Engineer

Mainspringenergy; Edison (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Mainspring Energy seeks a Staff Controls and Automation Engineer to lead the lifecycle of control and execution systems from concept to scalable manufacturing deployment. You will architect intelligent manufacturing systems and drive modernization of automation practices.

You will oversee FATs/SATs, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with external vendors to ensure robust, compliant solutions for high-performance manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience in automation
• 7–15+ years of hands-on experience with control systems in industrial automation or manufacturing equipment environments
• PLC programming and troubleshooting with Beckhoff (required) and experience with Codesys, Schneider Electric, Allen Bradley
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems (Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME)
• Experience integrating robotics (FANUC) and vision systems (Keyence/Cognex)
• Experience with MES data transactions and PLC product tracking
• OT networks and functional safety programming (ProfiSafe, CIP Safety, FANUC)
• Proficiency in Python and MATLAB and version control for automation software

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of scalable control systems for manufacturing environments
• Collaborate with external contractors, system integrators, and equipment vendors to ensure standards compliance
• Oversee FATs and SATs to ensure high-quality, compliant control systems
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship across multiple concurrent projects

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Industrial automation

Electrical troubleshooting

System leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Beckhoff

Codesys

Schneider Electric

Allen Bradley

Ignition Perspective

Siemens WinCC

Rockwell FTView ME

FANUC robotics

Keyence Cognex vision

Job description

About Mainspring

Mainspring Energy manufactures and delivers fuel-flexible, low-emissions local power solutions that rapidly add new capacity and deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable electric power. The company began commercial shipments of its Mainspring Linear Generators in 2020 and today has hundreds of megawatts in advanced development and field operations for leading Fortune 500 companies, data centers, and utilities. Mainspring also partners with global energy leaders including AEP, NextEra Energy Resources, Schneider Electric, and more.

The core values that ground our work, guide our decisions, and connect us together:

• Pragmatic Optimism
• Excellence without Ego
• Proactive Collaboration

Job Overview

As a Staff Controls and Automation Engineer, you will be the technical lead for the entire lifecycle of control and execution systems, from initial concept to scalable manufacturing deployment. This involves architecting intelligent manufacturing systems and managing them through feasibility assessments and production.

A key focus is on developing automation solutions that effectively balance demanding deterministic control needs with modern software engineering practices. This includes emphasizing modular design, utilizing version control, conducting code reviews, and enforcing disciplined change management to significantly improve the development, testing, and deployment of control software. While the role is grounded in traditional industrial automation, there is a strong drive for this modernization.

Responsibilities

• System Leadership and Scaling: Lead the design, development, and deployment of control systems, ensuring they are scalable for the manufacturing environment
• External Collaboration and Quality Assurance: Directly engage with external contractors, system integrators, and equipment vendors to engineer and build automated equipment. You must collaborate with both internal and external teams to guarantee adherence to equipment standards
• Testing and Compliance: Mandate and oversee the execution of Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) to secure the delivery of compliant, high‑quality control systems
• Project Management and Mentorship: Oversee multiple concurrent projects and provide essential technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience in automation
• 7 - 15 or more years of hands‑on experience with control systems within an industrial automation or manufacturing equipment environment
• Extensive, practical experience in PLC programming and troubleshooting, with proficiency in Beckhoff (required), Codesys, Schneider Electric, Allen Bradley
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting existing automated manufacturing equipment or production lines, including in‑line troubleshooting of electrical systems, control panels, field devices, and safety interlock circuits
• Proven capacity to collaborate with external contractors and equipment vendors for the design, build, installation, and commissioning of future manufacturing automation
• Robust practical electrical troubleshooting proficiencies, encompassing the ability to read, interpret, and review electrical schematics, diagrams, and blueprints
• Experience independently executing and supporting SCADA/HMI systems (such as Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME)
• Experience integrating robotics (e.g., FANUC) and vision systems (e.g., Keyence and Cognex)
• Experience in the design and programming of MES data transactions and PLC product tracking
• Experience configuring Operational Technology (OT) networks (e.g., managed network switches) and functional safety programming (e.g., ProfiSafe, CIP Safety, or FANUC)
• Experience with advanced programming languages (Python, MATLAB), and version control software for the extraction of insights and the implementation of system control modifications

In more traditional words, Mainspring Energy, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

This compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company‑specific knowledge.