# Senior/Staff Automation Controls Engineer **Company:** [Heron Power](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-companies/heron-power) **Location:** Scotts Valley **Work mode:** On-site **Seniority:** Senior **Employment type:** Full Time **Salary:** USD 150K–201K/yr **Category:** Electrical **Department:** Other **Listed:** 2026-11-05 [View and apply on Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/senior-staff-automation-controls-engineer-b046bfcf-666d-4359-ab6d-381ff46ede48) ## What you'll do - Define controls architecture for factories, including safety systems and protocols - Lead virtual commissioning to simulate, test, and validate controls logic - Design, program, and commission in-house control systems for custom equipment - Set up industrial robots with safety zoning and cycle optimization - Troubleshoot controls-related issues and drive resolution on the production floor ## What you need - 7+ yrs industrial automation and controls engineering experience - Expert PLC programming: Siemens TIA Portal and structured text - Experience with 6-axis robots, gantry systems, and inspection - Deep experience with risk assessments and functional safety validation - Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechatronics, or controls engineering ## Job description ### **What to Expect** Heron Power is a startup company building cutting-edge power electronics for the 21st-century grid. We aim to debottleneck the growth of electricity generation and consumption with scalable, innovative, and less costly hardware solutions, accelerating the electrification of everything. Our first goal is to build better converters (inverters & rectifiers) to connect large-scale renewables, storage, and loads to the grid. Heron Power’s leadership team is made up of seasoned veterans who have designed and shipped gigawatts of power conversion products over the past decade. We understand that no one individual knows everything. We will all learn _a lot_ together and from each other. We strive to build a collaborative, enriching environment conducive to personal, technical, and career growth. You can expect to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, driven by first principles engineering, solving difficult problems. ### **Job Overview** At Heron Power, we are building the future of scalable power electronics. Our mission is to enable high-volume, capital-efficient manufacturing of advanced energy systems. We believe that robust automation and controls are foundational to achieving this vision. As an Automation Controls Engineer, you will take full ownership of the control systems that power our custom manufacturing equipment. You will define the controls architecture, set the technical trajectory, and ensure our systems deliver precision, reliability, and throughput at scale. This is a hands-on role for someone who holds a high standard for automation performance and safety and is motivated by the challenge of building control systems that are robust, maintainable, and built to last. ### **How You Will Contribute** - _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_ ### **What You Will Bring** We have a short list of must-have requirements. We prioritize a strong grip on first principles, hands-on skills, and a sense of initiative. Domain-specific knowledge and experience will help determine the career level for each hire. ### **Must-Have Requirements** - _Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or a related field._ - _7+ 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:_ - _Siemens TIA Portal_ - _Strong command of programming languages:_ - _Ladder Logic_ - _Structured Text_ - _SFC/GRAPH_ - _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_ ### **Nice-to-Haves** - _Beckhoff TwinCAT_ - _Functional safety certification_ - _Deep expertise in vision inspection systems_ - _Experience with electrical design follow UL508 NPFA79_ - _Fanuc robot programming_ - _Established strategic relationships with equipment suppliers across power electronics, battery pack, drive unit, general assembly, and other high-volume, high-tech manufacturing domains_ If you are passionate about technology and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, we would love to hear from you. Join us in accelerating the electrification of everything at Heron Power. Heron Power provides competitive compensation (salary and equity) and benefits. The salary for this role ranges from $150,000 to $201,000 per year. ## Other open roles at Heron Power - [Power Electronics Controls Engineer](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/power-electronics-controls-engineer-677af1a6-8dec-43d7-9dad-ecce63bb7e60) — Scotts Valley - [Senior/Staff Embedded Software Engineer](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/senior-staff-embedded-software-engineer-56584d12-7011-4ac7-9cf5-d2e6035e07b3) — Scotts Valley - [Senior/Staff Hardware Design Engineer](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/senior-staff-hardware-design-engineer-df8f1c5f-e80c-4225-84e0-b3493897a0fc) — Scotts Valley - [Senior Compliance Test Engineer](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/senior-compliance-test-engineer-040efc5a-4c3e-4867-8074-f4ad8afa0569) — Scotts Valley - [Manufacturing Technician - 6 month contract](https://zerogtalent.com/frontier-jobs/heron-power/manufacturing-technician-6-month-contract-8fb3cac4-aaba-4382-b1a5-9064df3768d0) — Scotts Valley --- *Source: [Zero G Talent](https://zerogtalent.com), the job board for space, defense, AI, robotics and frontier-tech companies.*