Principal Automation Engineer, Controls

Mach
United States
Full timeUSD 195,000 - 225,000 annuallyFunction: QA, Test & Release EngineeringSkills: ["Technical leadership","Ownership","Problem-solving","Mentoring"]

Own the architecture, development, and deployment of the factory controls platform, standardizing on Beckhoff TwinCAT. Define PLC and machine-control standards (including safety, diagnostics, and industrial networking), build reusable TwinCAT libraries, and lead controls execution from FAT through Run at Rate. Serve as technical lead for multi-million-dollar systems integrator programs, personally commission pilot line automation, and troubleshoot end-to-end interactions across PLCs, motion, robotics, vision, safety, and factory software.

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FursaFursa
Mach
Mach
2 weeks ago

Principal Automation Engineer, Controls

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Job Summary

Own the architecture, development, and deployment of the factory controls platform, standardizing on Beckhoff TwinCAT. Define PLC and machine-control standards (including safety, diagnostics, and industrial networking), build reusable TwinCAT libraries, and lead controls execution from FAT through Run at Rate. Serve as technical lead for multi-million-dollar systems integrator programs, personally commission pilot line automation, and troubleshoot end-to-end interactions across PLCs, motion, robotics, vision, safety, and factory software.
Location: United States
Employment Type: Full time
Job Function: QA, Test & Release Engineering
Seniority: Sr. Manager level

Key Responsibilities

  • •Own factory controls architecture and technical roadmap, standardized around Beckhoff TwinCAT.
  • •Define standards for PLC software, Beckhoff IPCs, EtherCAT I/O, motion control, industrial networks, machine safety, diagnostics, and factory interfaces.
  • •Develop reusable TwinCAT libraries (machine state models, fault handling, recovery strategies) and enforce programming standards.
  • •Personally design, program, integrate, and commission automation equipment for pilot manufacturing lines and translate pilots into scalable production standards.
  • •Lead controls execution end-to-end (FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning, production launch) and troubleshoot complex interactions across PLCs, robotics, motion, machine vision, instrumentation, safety systems, and factory software.

Pay and Benefits

Salary: USD 195,000 - 225,000 annually
Equity and Bonus:Equity
Perks:Health InsuranceDentalVisionRetirement SavingsPaid LeaveLearning Budget

Key Requirements

  • •Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering field (Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related).
  • •8+ years developing industrial automation, controls, or complex electromechanical systems.
  • •Strong PLC programming experience, including independently developing and debugging production controls software.
  • •Ownership experience taking automated equipment from design through integration, commissioning, and production.
  • •Experience designing or implementing machine-safety and functional-safety systems.
Experience:Industrial automationManufacturingDefense technology
Skills:Technical leadershipOwnershipProblem-solvingMentoring
Languages:English
Tech Stack:Beckhoff TwinCATPLCIEC 61131-3TwinSAFEBeckhoff IPCsEtherCATDistributed I/OMotion controlIndustrial networksSCADAMESHistoriansOPC UAMQTTFunctional safetyMachine safetyInterlocksEmergency stopsMachine visionRobotics

Eligibility

Nationality:US National

Company Brief

Mach
Designs and manufactures unmanned systems, tactical engines, and decentralized defense manufacturing infrastructure (Forge) to scale production of autonomous aerial systems and related propulsion for U.S. defense customers and partners.
Industry: Defense Manufacturing
Company Size: Medium (51 to 250 employees)
Growth: Growth Stage Startup
Valuation: USD 250M to 500M
Funding: Series B
Headquarters: Huntington Beach, United States
Founded: 2023
Glassdoor
Glassdoor: 3.9
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