Staff Controls Engineer

Redwood Materials; Ridgeville (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Materials seeks an experienced Staff Controls Engineer to design, commission, and scale controls for its battery recycling facilities. You will work at the intersection of chemical process engineering, industrial automation, and software development.

Responsibilities include real-time control software in C++, Python automation, and PLC programming with IEC 61131-3, plus UL508A panel design and system architecture leadership. This is a full-time on-site role in the US.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ for real-time or embedded systems.
• Solid experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data processing.
• Hands-on experience writing Structured Text for PLCs or industrial controllers.
• Deep understanding of deterministic execution, concurrency, and hardware-software interaction.

Responsibilities

• Design real-time control software in C++ for embedded/industrial systems.
• Develop automation tools, diagnostics, and orchestration scripts in Python.
• Write Structured Text for PLCs and industrial controllers.
• Design control panels meeting UL508A requirements (HV/LV, instrumentation, networking).
• Build deterministic control loops, state machines, and safety-critical routines.
• Integrate software with sensors, actuators, drives and networks.
• Debug timing, concurrency, hardware interfaces, and industrial protocols.
• Lead system architecture decisions for control platforms and distributed automation.

Skills

Modern C++

Real-time/embedded

Python automation

Structured Text (IEC 61131-3)

Industrial protocols (Modbus, EtherNet

Job description

Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, co-founder and former CTO of Tesla, on a simple but radical idea: the critical minerals powering the energy transition already exist. They just need to come back. Today Redwood is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America - recovering, refining, and redeploying critical minerals from end-of-life batteries back into the supply chain. On the energy side, Redwood has deployed the largest second-life battery project in the world, delivering power to AI data centers in months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it operates in is projected to grow 20 to 50 times over the next decade, and Redwood is the only company with the supply chain, the technology, and the operational scale to lead it.

We are seeking an experienced Staff Controls Engineer who is passionate about pushing beyond the cutting edge of the industry to design, build, and debug best-in-class controls systems for Redwood's battery recycling operations. This engineer will play a critical role in designing, commissioning, scaling, and supporting all of Redwood's recycling facilities working at the intersection of chemical process engineering, industrial automation, and software development.

Responsibilities will include:

• Designing and implementing real-time control software in C++ for embedded and industrial systems
• Developing automation tools, diagnostics, and orchestration scripts in Python
• Writing, optimizing, and troubleshooting Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) for PLCs and industrial controllers
• Designing controls panels that meet UL508A requirements, including high voltage power distribution, low voltage distribution, instrumentation, and networking.
• Building deterministic control loops, state machines, and safety-critical routines
• Integrating software with sensors, actuators, drives, and industrial communication networks
• Debugging complex issues involving timing, concurrency, hardware interfaces, and industrial protocols
• Leading system architecture decisions for control platforms and distributed automation systems
• Conducting root-cause analysis for field issues and implementing long-term fixes
• Mentoring engineers in real-time programming, PLC development, and industrial best practices

Qualifications:

• Strong proficiency in modern C++ for real-time or embedded systems
• Solid experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data processing
• Hands-on experience writing Structured Text for PLCs or industrial controllers
• Deep understanding of deterministic execution, concurrency, and hardware-software interaction
• Experience with industrial protocols such as Modbus, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, or PROFINET
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering efforts while contributing significant hands-on code
• Strong debugging skills across software, hardware, and network layers
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with motion control, robotics, or process automation
• Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, or microcontroller development
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity standards or best practices
• Experience with simulation tools, digital twins, or hardware-in-the-loop testing
• Background integrating C++ runtimes with PLC or SCADA systems

The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

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