Staff Controls Engineer, Robotics & Vision

Form Energy; Weirton (WV); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision premiums

Generous paid leave policies

Job summary

Form Energy is looking for a Staff Controls Engineer for their Robotics & Vision team in Weirton, WV. You will lead the design and deployment of innovative automation equipment crucial for manufacturing Iron-Air batteries.

This position offers a unique chance to blend technical execution with leadership, mentoring the next generation of engineers while ensuring top-notch manufacturing processes. Comprehensive relocation assistance is available.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of hands-on engineering experience with robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Independence in programming and troubleshooting within Siemens TIA-Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Advanced proficiency in FANUC and FANUC ROBOGUIDE.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical lead on multiple Robotics & Vision projects.
• Mentor and guide less experienced engineers.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors to meet standards.

Skills

Robotics expertise

Advanced PLC Programming

Electrical & Diagnostic Skills

Vendor Partnership

Hands-on Innovation

Continuous Improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA-Portal

Rockwell Studio 5000

FANUC

Keyence

Cognex

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Role Description

As a Staff Controls Engineer on the Robotics & Vision team, you will step into a high‑impact technical leadership role. You will own the design, development, and deployment of novel automation equipment used to manufacture our revolutionary Iron‑Air batteries.

Reporting to our Senior Controls Engineering Manager, you will serve as a pillar of a rapidly growing Manufacturing Control and Execution Systems team. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep hands‑on technical execution with high‑level project leadership and mentorship, shaping both our factory floor and the careers of the engineers around you.

Relocation assistance is available.

What You'll Do

• Technical Leadership: act as the technical lead on multiple concurrent Robotics & Vision projects, collaborating closely with Automation, E&I, and SCADA teams to deliver complex systems on time and within budget.
• Mentor & Guide: share your wealth of knowledge to technically and professionally mentor less experienced robotics and vision controls engineers.
• Vendor Partnership: collaborate directly with equipment vendors to ensure they meet Form Energy's rigorous equipment standards. Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor sites and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at Form Factory 1.
• Hands‑on Innovation: develop, test, and program advanced robotics and vision systems, integrating them seamlessly with PLCs, SCADA, and MES layers. This includes programming and troubleshooting MES data transactions within PLC programs.
• Continuous Improvement & Support: serve as an advanced escalation point for our sustaining, production operations, and maintenance teams. Troubleshoot complex robotics, vision, and electrical issues to maximize throughput and ensure top‑tier safety. This role includes a rotating on‑call responsibility for off‑hour high‑level escalations.

What You'll Bring

• Experience: 8+ years of hands‑on engineering experience working deeply with robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent hands‑on industry experience.
• Advanced PLC Programming: independence in programming and troubleshooting within Siemens TIA‑Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000, including PLC product tracking and handshake/data programming.
• Robotics Mastery: advanced proficiency in FANUC and FANUC ROBOGUIDE; comfortable training others on these platforms.
• Vision Systems: expertise in Keyence and Cognex barcode scanners, inspection systems, and position applications (ability to train others required).
• Functional Safety: deep familiarity with Functional Safety systems; can independently review electrical hardware and programming, train others on FANUC DCS programming, and handle Siemens ProfiSafe and Rockwell CIP Safety programming with minimal supervision.
• Electrical & Diagnostic Skills: ability to independently read, interpret, and redline complex electrical schematics to troubleshoot industrial hardware.
• Tools: independent execution using iba and Octoplant.

Nice To Have

• Familiarity with Beckhoff TwinCat.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI platforms like Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME.
• Knowledge of OT networks (configuring Siemens Scalance Managed Network Switches).
• Design experience using AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks.
• Experience with IPC/Panel PC setup and control panel fabrication.

Where You'll Work

This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000‑square‑foot facility is our hub for high‑volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.

Benefits

Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full‑time employees—and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.

Equal Opportunity

We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.

Accommodations

If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact [e-mail]. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.

Privacy

Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.