Equipment Controls Engineer

ALTEN Technology USA is seeking an Equipment Controls Engineer to develop, commission, and improve manufacturing equipment for next-generation eVTOL powertrain technologies. This role involves designing and integrating control systems for various equipment, from manual test fixtures to automated production machinery. The engineer will program and troubleshoot PLC-based systems, integrate with MES, build LabVIEW test stands, and develop vision inspection systems, working with cross-functional teams in a high-mix, low-volume environment.

Must Have

• 4–6 years of experience as a Controls Engineer in manufacturing, automation, or similar industrial environment.
• Strong PLC programming proficiency (Structured Text required).
• Hands-on experience with Bosch drives, servo systems, and motion control equipment.
• Experience with MES systems and bridging PLC-to-MES communication (Ignition strongly preferred).
• Experience developing or debugging LabVIEW machines or LabVIEW-based controls.
• Familiarity with vision inspection systems (hardware + software integration).
• Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume production environments.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and interpret machine behavior and sensor data.
• Strong troubleshooting, system-level thinking, and cross-disciplinary teamwork skills.

Good to Have

• Experience with manufacturing equipment for electric motors, inverters, battery packs, or power electronics.
• Exposure to machine safety systems and standards.
• Experience with automated test equipment development.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, etc.).

Perks & Benefits

• Mentorship
• Career growth opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits

We’re ALTEN Technology USA, an engineering company helping clients bring groundbreaking ideas to life—from advancing space exploration and life-saving medical devices to building autonomous electric vehicles. With 3,000+ experts across North America, we partner with leading companies in aerospace, medical devices, robotics, automotive, commercial vehicles, EVs, rail, and more.

As part of the global ALTEN Group—57,000+ engineers in 30 countries—we deliver across the entire product development cycle, from consulting to full project outsourcing.

When you join ALTEN Technology USA, you’ll collaborate on some of the world’s toughest engineering challenges, supported by mentorship, career growth opportunities, and comprehensive benefits. We take pride in fostering a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.

Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Equipment Controls Engineer to support the development, commissioning, and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment for next-generation eVTOL powertrain technologies. This role focuses on designing and integrating control systems for a wide variety of equipment—from manual test fixtures and jigs to fully automated production machinery—in a high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.

You will work closely with cross-functional teams supporting power electronics, electric motors, batteries, and related propulsion components. The ideal candidate has strong PLC experience, familiarity with MES connectivity, and hands-on exposure to vision systems and LabVIEW-based machines.

ONSITE in San Carlos, CA or open to REMOTE

Key Responsibilities

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for production equipment, including:
• Structured Text programming (e.g., Takeoff PLC or similar environments)
• Bosch Rexroth drives or other industrial motion control systems
• Develop, maintain, and optimize control logic for both manual and automated manufacturing systems.
• Integrate manufacturing equipment with MES systems, including using Ignition or similar platforms for PLC-to-MES communication.
• Build and support LabVIEW-based test stands, test fixtures, and automated validation machines.
• Develop and maintain vision-system-based inspection machines (camera systems, lighting, and integration into control platforms).
• Support equipment used in the manufacturing of power electronics, motors, and battery systems, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
• Interpret and translate machine behavior, sensor data, and PLC outputs into actionable information for engineering and production teams.
• Participate in equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and test engineers to define equipment requirements and deliver robust solutions.
• Document software, electrical schematics, machine logic, and test procedures according to engineering standards.

Required Qualifications

• 4–6 years of experience as a Controls Engineer in manufacturing, automation, or similar industrial environment.
• Strong PLC programming proficiency (Structured Text required).
• Hands-on experience with Bosch drives, servo systems, and motion control equipment.
• Experience with MES systems and bridging PLC-to-MES communication (Ignition strongly preferred).
• Experience developing or debugging LabVIEW machines or LabVIEW-based controls.
• Familiarity with vision inspection systems (hardware + software integration).
• Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume production environments.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and interpret machine behavior and sensor data.
• Strong troubleshooting, system-level thinking, and cross-disciplinary teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with manufacturing equipment for electric motors, inverters, battery packs, or power electronics.
• Exposure to machine safety systems and standards.
• Experience with automated test equipment development.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, etc.).

Salary Range: $85,000-$140,000/K

The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience

ALTEN Technology is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our Policy is to extend opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual’s age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or veteran status.

Please beware of job seeker scams and see this important notice on our careers page for more information about our recruiting process._

Compliance Notice: Alten USA is a federal contractor subject to the requirements of the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Executive Order 11246. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Drug Screening Requirement: As a federal contractor, Alten USA maintains a drug-free workplace. All candidates selected for employment will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of hire.

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