Senior Automation Controls Engineer

BLUE ORIGIN

. Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment, providing controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design .

Posted 5/19/2026full-timeHuntsville • Alabama, Texas, Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $197,529 - $276,539 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Assembly

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Collaborate with applications engineers in the development of conceptual automated manufacturing equipment, providing controls architecture input and feedback from concept through detailed design
Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols
Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems
Develop offline simulations of automated systems — ranging from discrete work cells to fully automated product lines — to validate control logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior from concept through final design, including pre-programming and virtual commissioning prior to hardware availability
Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and similar industrial controls programs from scratch
Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems
Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams; provide technical support during system integration and commissioning
Lead factory and site acceptance testing
Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems
Create and deliver controls documentation packages including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field
Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch — including PLC and HMI programming as core competencies, control system architecture design (network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, multi-platform communication protocols), and broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, material handling systems (gantries, AGVs, conveyors), CNC machine integration, NDT, assembly, testing, and process tools (torque, welding, grinding, or similar)
Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings
Experience with industrial safety system design including functional safety devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits
Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
Paid parental leave
Short and long-term disability
401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
Education Support Program
Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

PLC programmingHMI programmingcontrol system architecture designnetwork topologyI/O distributionsafety systemsmulti-platform communication protocolsoffline simulationsonline debuggingvirtual commissioning

Soft Skills

collaborationtechnical supportleadershipproblem-solvingcommunication