Automation Controls Engineer
San Francisco, California
Software Engineering /
Full time /
On-site
RETHINK MANUFACTURING
The only way to ignite change is to build the best team. At Bright Machines®, we’re innovators and experts in our craft who have joined together to create a new category of manufacturing that will help transform the industry. We believe software and data are the answer, thoughtfully applied to solve our customers’ unique challenges. Through intelligent automation, we give factories newfound flexibility, scalability, and resilience. We deliver products to meet the demands of today while building a platform to take advantage of what comes next.
Working with us means you’ll have the opportunity to make lasting, impactful changes for our company and our customers. If you’re ready to apply your exceptional skills to create the factory of the future, we’d love to speak with you.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As an Automation Controls Engineer you will be designing and developing automated solutions, choosing parts, and programming our robotic systems.
Automation Controls Engineer are able to communicate effectively with all project stakeholders including customers, leadership, our sales teams, program management, research and development engineers, and delivery team engineers that bring customer solutions to life.
We have a passion for bringing together cross functional teams to creatively solve problems. We value working closely with different groups throughout project lifecycles and believe that creating and validating user requirements at the system and sub system level is essential for success.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
- Develop and maintain control logic for Beckhoff PLCs using the TwinCAT 3 IDE.
- Contribute to the architecture and design of machine control systems and automation processes.
- Interpret and support the development of electrical schematics to ensure accurate system documentation.
- Participate in cross-functional design reviews, providing input on mechanical and electrical systems from a controls perspective.
- Program robotic paths and motion sequences for integrated automation systems.
- Analyze customer requirements and translate them into functional system specifications and software solutions.
- Implement real-time control code using IEC 61131-3 Structured Text.
- Design and develop non-real-time applications in Python, applying object-oriented programming principles.
- Willing to travel up to 25–30% for system installation, commissioning, and ongoing support.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE
- BS or MS in Electrical or Computer Engineering or equivalent
- Beckhoff PLC programming required
- Structured Text (61131-3)
- Python programming
- Object oriented programming concepts
- Git software version control
- SQL RDB
- Robot programming
- Industrial Automation
- Stepper and servo motor motion control and tuning
- Familiarity with Linux and command line tools
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAD
- Some exposure with web technologies (ie JavaScript, React, REST, GraphQL).
- Experience using industrial robots such as Fanuc
- Experience with vision systems (i.e. Keyence or Cognex)
- Experience with SCADA systems
WHO YOU ARE
- You are customer obsessed
- You believe in the power of a team, diversity of thought, and unity of action
- You always act with integrity, keep your commitments, and practice transparency
- You think boldly, lead with courage, and demand the highest standards
- You drive for results, and act like an owner
$160,000 - $190,000 a year
BE EMPOWERED TO CHANGE AN INDUSTRY
Bright Machines is an industry-leading software and robotics company that provides a full-stack automation solution for manufacturing. Bright Machines’ flexible automated assembly and disassembly specializes in the AI backbone – AI hardware infrastructure. By leveraging computer vision, machine learning, and software applications, Bright Machines reimagines the way products can be designed and manufactured.
Bright Machines is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with an integration center in Guadalajara, Mexico. The company has been recognized as one of Forbes’ AI 50, awarded “Best AI-based Solution for Manufacturing” by AI Breakthrough, named a “Technology Pioneer” by the World Economic Forum, and highlighted by several other leading technology and innovation organizations.
