Heron Power · 4 months ago
Automation Controls Engineer
Scotts Valley
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$120K/yr - $220K/yr
5+ years expHeron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. As an Automation Controls Engineer, you will take full ownership of the control systems that power custom manufacturing equipment, ensuring precision, reliability, and throughput at scale.
Electrical DistributionEnergyIndustrial Engineering
Responsibilities
Define controls architecture for Heron Power’s factories, including platforms, devices, safety systems, and communication protocols
Lead virtual commissioning efforts to simulate, test, and validate controls logic prior to deployment
Design, program, and commission in-house control systems for custom manufacturing equipment
Write clean, scalable, and maintainable control code for long-term flexibility and reuse
Set up industrial robots, including programming, safety zoning, and cycle optimization
Conduct risk assessments and hazard analyses to identify potential safety issues and develop mitigation strategies for new and existing automation cells
Troubleshoot controls-related issues and drive resolution on the production floor
Manage supplier controls performance, ensuring alignment with system requirements, quality standards, and safety expectations
Identify and mitigate risks, including compliance gaps, integration challenges, and long-term maintainability
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or a related field
5+ years of experience in industrial automation, with a focus on safety systems and controls engineering
Expert-level proficiency in PLC programming across multiple platforms, specifically: Beckhoff TwinCAT, Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley, Siemens TIA Portal
Strong command of programming languages: Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram
Extensive experience with 6-axis robots, gantry systems, and inspection methods
Subject matter expert in evolving safety standards and technologies
Deep experience with risk assessments and functional safety validation
Experience with high volume manufacturing process equipment such as fastening, dispensing, thermal processes, laser welding, material handling, and inspection systems
Willingness to work in a hands-on role
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Preferred
Functional safety certification
Deep expertise in visual inspection systems
Established strategic relationships with equipment suppliers across power electronics, battery pack, drive unit, general assembly, and other high-volume, high-tech manufacturing domains
Company
Heron Power
Heron Power is an energy technology startup that focuses on developing power electronics for the modern electrical grid.
51-200 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Heron Power has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (6)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
$38MKey Investors
Capricorn Investment Group
2025-05-29Series A· $38M
Leadership Team
C
Chris Tilton
Director of Mechanical Engineering
Recent News
2025-10-13
2025-10-11
Company data provided by crunchbase