Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

About the role

The Senior Controls & Automation Engineer at Mainspring Energy owns the design and delivery of industrial automation systems using the Beckhoff Platform, ensuring deterministic control meets contemporary software engineering standards. This role owns the full lifecycle of automation solutions from electrical schematics through deployment and long-term maintenance. You will balance real-time control requirements with modular design, disciplined version control, and structured code reviews to protect system integrity. A core part of this position involves applying pragmatic optimism and excellence without ego to solve complex engineering challenges in a collaborative environment. You will work closely with global energy leaders to implement control strategies that support reliable, affordable, and sustainable power solutions. Approximately twenty to twenty-five percent of your time will focus on sustaining, improving, and upgrading existing equipment in the field. You will champion proactive collaboration across manufacturing, electrical, mechanical, and software teams to keep systems adaptable to evolving production needs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect electrical systems and select hardware to align with control objectives for Mainspring Energy projects.
• Implement deterministic logic on the Beckhoff Platform while adhering to modern engineering practices within industrial constraints.
• Establish version control workflows and enforce code reviews to track every change and safeguard system integrity over time.
• Coordinate maintenance schedules, upgrades, and controlled commissioning activities with manufacturing teams to minimize production impact.
• Partner with software groups to integrate communication protocols and validate reliable equipment behavior across distributed systems.
• Evaluate and define test strategies that validate control sequences and support safe, confident deployment into production environments.
• Oversee hardware selection and electrical schematics to create scalable automation solutions that support future capacity growth.
• Drive change management processes that document engineering decisions and support long-term system health and maintainability.
• Apply structured logic using ladder logic, structured text, and function block design to solve real-world control tasks on the Beckhoff Platform.
• Analyze deterministic networks and fieldbus protocols, ensuring proper interaction between controllers, actuators, and sensors.
• Balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced development setting while maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation for all automation assets.
• Translate utility, data center, and advanced manufacturing requirements into robust control strategies that meet stringent reliability targets.
• Support the deployment of hundreds of megawatts of Mainspring Linear Generators by ensuring control systems meet performance and safety standards.
• Work primarily on-site at Mainspring Headquarters in Menlo Park, California, with scheduled travel across North America for commissioning and support activities.

Requirements

• Must possess three years of hands-on experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT systems and demonstrated automation project delivery.
• Must demonstrate strong competency in ladder logic, structured text, and function block design for real-world control applications.
• Must understand deterministic networks, fieldbus protocols, and their connection with actuators and sensors in industrial environments.
• Must have experience coordinating efforts across manufacturing, electrical, and mechanical teams to align technical deliverables.
• Must manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment while maintaining meticulous documentation standards.
• Must hold the ability to work on-site at Mainspring Headquarters in Menlo Park, California, with travel throughout North America as required.
• Must apply sound software engineering practices within the constraints of industrial automation systems.
• Must uphold core company values of Pragmatic Optimism, Excellence without Ego, and Proactive Collaboration in all project activities.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship, as no work authorization sponsorship is provided for this role.
• Must be proficient with the Beckhoff Platform, as this technical skill is essential for success in this position.

Nice to have

• Experience in data centers, utilities, or advanced manufacturing environments is preferred for context and domain understanding.

Practical notes

• This role is salaried and based at the Mainspring headquarters in Menlo Park, California.
• The position is primarily on-site, requiring physical presence at the headquarters location.
• Travel within North America may be required for field deployments, commissioning, and customer support activities.
• Candidates must verify their eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship, as work authorization cannot be sponsored for this position.
• The listed compensation range is 145,000 USD to 185,000 USD, reflecting the scope and responsibility of this role.
• Interested candidates should confirm details regarding the application process directly through official company channels before proceeding.