Controls & Automation Engineer

ROLE SUMMARY

As an Automation & Controls Engineer at Limelight Steel, you will support the commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrades of the electrical and controls systems for our demo-scale laser furnace and related process equipment. ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support day-to-day troubleshooting, maintenance, and improvement of existing SCADA, and PLC systems.
• Assist with field wiring, panel changes, device configuration, checkout, and commissioning of furnace subsystems.
• Make and test HMI/SCADA updates in Ignition, including screen changes, tag updates, alarm updates, trends, and operator interface improvements.
• Support Codesys PLC troubleshooting, logic changes, I/O mapping, function block testing, and controls verification.
• Create and maintain controls-related engineering documentation, including P&IDs, control narratives, I/O lists, loop drawings, panel schematics, and device settings.
• Integrate and troubleshoot equipment such as lasers, vacuum pumps, chillers, sensors, valves, VFDs, heaters, and other industrial devices.
• Support safe operation of furnace subsystems, including laser systems, high-temperature equipment, vacuum equipment, cooling systems, and power distribution.
• Provide hands-on support during equipment startup, testing, maintenance, and operational troubleshooting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 3–5 years of experience in electrical controls, automation, industrial maintenance, or related hands-on engineering work.
• Working knowledge of industrial control systems, PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, electrical panels, field wiring, instrumentation, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and update electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, I/O lists, device documentation, and P&IDs.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills and willingness to work in the field on wiring, installation, checkout, and commissioning tasks.

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience with Ignition or similar SCADA platform
• Experience with Codesys or similar PLC platform
• Experience with industrial fieldbuses including IO Link/Ethernet/IP/Modbus
• Experience supporting pilot plants, R&D equipment, or industrial process equipment.
• Experience with lasers, vacuum pumps, chillers, high-temperature equipment, heaters, gas systems, or metallurgical equipment.
• Experience updating control panels, terminating field wiring, configuring sensors, replacing devices, and validating control system changes.
• Mechatronics engineering experience.

BENEFITS

• Competitive stock option package
• Comprehensive health benefits that include:
• Full premium coverage for PPO Gold for employees with 80% coverage for dependents
• Full premium coverage for Vision and Dental for employees
• Generous time-off schedule - 20 days paid time off (accrued according to number of hours worked) - 10 holidays (personalized to the holidays you observe) - 401(k) with a 4% safe harbor company match - 2x weekly catered team lunches
• A team of curious, passionate, kind, and courageous people committed to eliminating industrial emissions that contribute to climate change
• Unparalleled opportunities for growth, leadership, and project ownership in a dynamic and rapidly-growing startup company COMPENSATION Annual salary range for this role is $95,000-$120,000 USD plus meaningful equity, depending on experience and level.