Staff Controls & Automation Engineer

Mainspring Energy; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pre-IPO stock options

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Mainspring Energy in Menlo Park is seeking a Staff Controls and Automation Engineer. The role involves leading the design and development of control systems, ensuring scalability for manufacturing environments, and collaborating with contractors and vendors.

The ideal candidate will have 7-15+ years of experience in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and delivering high-quality control systems. Compensation includes equity options and benefits, adjusted for local market conditions.

Qualifications

• 7–15+ years of hands-on experience with control systems in manufacturing.
• Extensive experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and deployment of control systems.
• Engage with external contractors for automated equipment.
• Oversee Factory Acceptance Tests and Site Acceptance Tests.

Skills

PLC programming and troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Collaboration with external contractors

Robotics integration

SCADA/HMI systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Beckhoff

Codesys

Siemens WinCC

Fanuc

Job description

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.

Key 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. 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.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.
• 7–15+ 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, including the ability to read, interpret, and review electrical schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
• Experience independently executing and supporting SCADA/HMI systems (e.g., Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, Rockwell FTView ME).
• Experience integrating robotics (e.g., FANUC) and vision systems (e.g., Keyence and Cognex).

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 extracting insights and implementing system control modifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is onsite at Menlo Park HQ. The salary will be adjusted to reflect local market conditions based on employee location as well as experience. Along with the base salary, Mainspring offers pre‑IPO stock options and benefits. Compensation and benefits information is based on Mainspring Energy's estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. New hires 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.