TWINCAT Engineer

Actalent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Austin, TX is seeking a Mechatronics Software Engineer to advance TwinCAT-based robotic systems. The role blends hands-on work with high-voltage equipment and embedded software development while collaborating with controls, mechanical, and electrical teams to ensure large-scale robots operate reliably.

You will configure servo drives, tune motion parameters, assist with electrical panels, and contribute to tests and simulations.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with EtherCAT-based control architectures.
• Experience with TwinCAT, troubleshooting and commissioning of motion systems.
• Proven experience with motion control and multi-axis systems.
• Embedded software or firmware development for hardware control and interfacing.
• Experience with high-voltage devices up to 480 V and safe handling.
• Strong troubleshooting across electrical, mechanical, and control systems.
• Ability to configure, tune, and commission servo drives, motors, encoders.
• Ability to independently triage, diagnose, and resolve issues in complex robotic or mechatronic systems.
• Effective collaboration with controls, mechanical, and electrical teams.

Responsibilities

• Triages and resolves software, electrical, and mechanical issues in TwinCAT robotic systems.
• Designs, integrates, and validates electromechanical systems for large-scale robotics.
• Configures and commissions servo drives, motors, encoders in EtherCAT control.
• Collaborates with controls engineers to translate motion requirements into drive configurations.
• Supports electrical panel layouts, cable assemblies, and interface hardware.
• Develops hardware integration and acceptance tests for subsystems.
• Contributes actuator and drive models for simulation environments.
• Maintains wiring diagrams, BOMs, and commissioning checklists.
• Participates in design and code reviews for hardware/software.
• Works hands-on with high-voltage devices up to 480V and safety-conscious debugging.
• Extends software to recognize new devices in existing systems.

Skills

EtherCAT-based control architectures

TwinCAT software

Motion control

Embedded software

High-voltage handling

Troubleshooting electrical/mechanical

Drive configuration

Root cause analysis

Systems integration

Collaboration with controls/mechanical

Tools

TwinCAT software

Servo drives

Encoders

EtherCAT hardware

Job description

Job Title

Mechatronics Software Engineer

Job Description

The Software Engineer supports and advances TwinCAT-based robotic systems by diagnosing and resolving issues, enhancing motion control performance, and integrating new electromechanical components. This role combines hands‑on work with high‑voltage equipment, embedded software development, and close collaboration with controls, mechanical, and electrical teams to ensure large‑scale robotic systems operate reliably and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to sustaining engineering efforts for TwinCAT-based robotic systems by independently triaging, diagnosing, and resolving software, electrical, and mechanical issues.
• Design, integrate, and validate electromechanical systems for large‑scale robotics applications, ensuring reliable performance and safety.
• Configure, tune, and commission servo drives, motors, encoders, and related motion hardware within an EtherCAT-based control architecture.
• Collaborate closely with controls engineers to translate motion requirements into drive configurations, tuning parameters, and electrical implementations.
• Support the design and layout of electrical panels, cable assemblies, and interface hardware in coordination with mechanical and electrical teams.
• Develop and execute hardware integration and acceptance test procedures across robotic subsystems to verify functionality and performance.
• Contribute to simulation environments by providing accurate actuator and drive models that reflect real‑world hardware behavior.
• Maintain comprehensive electrical documentation, including wiring diagrams, bills of materials (BOMs), drive configuration records, and commissioning checklists.
• Participate in design and code reviews to maintain consistency, quality, and best practices across hardware and software deliverables.
• Work hands on with high‑voltage (up to 480 V) devices, including wiring, integration, and safety‑conscious debugging.
• Integrate new devices into existing systems by modifying and extending software so that new hardware is recognized and properly controlled.
• Perform hands‑on troubleshooting to determine whether issues originate from software, mechanical, or electrical systems and drive root cause analysis.
• Support testing and troubleshooting of deployed systems in field or test environments, providing ongoing support for both robotics and mechatronics platforms.

Essential Skills

• Hands‑on experience with EtherCAT‑based control architectures.
• Experience with TwinCAT, including troubleshooting and commissioning of motion systems.
• Proven experience with motion control and multi‑axis systems.
• Robotics, including an understanding of kinetics and applied mathematics relevant to motion control.
• Embedded software or firmware development experience for hardware control and interfacing.
• Demonstrated ability to work hands on with high‑voltage devices (up to 480 V), including wiring and safe handling.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across electrical, mechanical, and control systems, including root cause analysis.
• Ability to configure, tune, and commission servo drives, motors, encoders, and related motion hardware.
• Ability to independently triage, diagnose, and resolve issues in complex robotic or mechatronic systems.
• Effective collaboration skills for working with controls, mechanical, and electrical engineering teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Austin, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $58.00 - $72.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Austin,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.