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Staff Automation Controls Engineer

Reno, Nevada, United States

Company Overview   

Amperesand is reinventing how the world powers its most critical systems.

We are facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for infrastructure disruption. Electricity demand is skyrocketing, driven by AI factories, electric vehicles, and modern industrial growth. Energy supply is shifting to incorporate a more diverse mix of resources – including solar, gas, and batteries – at a massive scale.

And yet the power infrastructure behind our latest mega-projects hasn’t meaningfully changed in nearly 100 years. Supply chains for today’s infrastructure equipment can’t match the pace and sophistication of critical energy projects. Ampersand is building hardware and software that rewrites this broken power infrastructure playbook to support a new era of energy abundance.

We’ve built a new class of intelligent, software-defined power infrastructure products leveraging a decade of advanced medium voltage Solid State Transformer research that’s now ready for commercial deployment.

Our products and solutions go far beyond the capabilities of traditional electrical equipment. We make power systems that are faster to deploy, dramatically smaller and more efficient, and capable of supporting modern, dynamic energy needs for tomorrow’s most demanding energy consumers.

Scalable in-house advanced manufacturing capability is our foundation for meeting timeline and quality expectation to serve infrastructure customers around the world.

Amperesand is led by breakthrough energy hardware development veterans and funded by top tier investors who share our vision of building a category-defining energy technology company.

With hubs in San Francisco, Reno, and Singapore, our global team is laser focused on building foundational technology to solve the most pressing problems in power infrastructure at scale.

Join us in building the power foundation of the future!

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Senior Staff Automation Controls Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced automation equipment and assembly lines as we scale our hardware product portfolio. In this role, you will drive cross-functional initiatives to bring innovative hardware solutions from concept through to full-scale production. Collaborating closely with manufacturing and mechanical design teams, you will define and implement robust machine and process architecture. Responsibilities include developing comprehensive electrical and pneumatic schematics, leading the programming and integration of control systems—including PLCs, safety systems, HMIs, servo drives, process instrumentation, and robotics—from initial power-up through debugging, optimization, and final validation. 

This role presents a unique opportunity to influence product design from its earliest stages and champion design for automation as a foundational principle. It is a rare and valuable learning experience for controls engineer to be embedded so deeply in both product and manufacturing development.  

 Responsibilities  

  • Lead the conceptual development of new equipment, balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality, and lead-time constraints. 
  • Design and implement control-reliable safety systems in compliance with ANSI/RIA 15.06 and OSHA standards for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-throughput manufacturing systems. 
  • Develop, structure, and debug PLC logic with a strong emphasis on code architecture, documentation, maintainability, and long-term reusability. 
  • Design and debug software for subsystems including robotics, vision systems, test equipment, and manufacturing execution systems (MES). 
  • Contribute to the creation of specifications and internal standards, manage technical documentation for vendor release, and perform detailed quote evaluations. 
  • Select and size electrical and electromechanical components for optimal system integration and performance. 
  • Design intuitive and visually clean HMI interfaces for complex machinery, ensuring effective operator feedback and streamlined troubleshooting. 
  • Design industrial electrical control panels in accordance with NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards, and generate comprehensive electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics. 
  • Oversee electrical cabinet fabrication, field wiring, and the installation of pneumatic and fluid systems. 
  • Lead the introduction of automated processes into production environments, and train maintenance and operations teams to ensure long-term support and sustainability. 
  • Build and test internally built equipment to be deployed at contract manufacturers.  

  

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Computer Engineering (or related field) 
  • 8+ years of experience in Controls engineering, with a strong background in DFA, process development, and high-mix or high-volume production 
  • Hands-on experience with a variety of manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, die casting, machining, potting, Power electronics assembly and automation) 
  • Experience leading large-scale capital equipment design projects. 
  • Expert in data collection and analysis, statistical analysis, data visualization tools  
  • Demonstrated expertise in both standard and safety PLC programming, with experience in Allen Bradley Studio 5000 and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3; preference given to proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal.. 
  • Proficient in industrial robot programming, with hands-on experience using Kuka and ABB platforms; Fanuc experience is especially desirable. 
  • Experienced in commissioning servo systems using Rockwell Kinetix and Beckhoff Drive Manager 2; Siemens SIMATIC is strongly preferred. 
  • Adept at developing and deploying 2D/3D vision systems, with experience using Cognex Insight and LMI Gocator; familiarity with Keyence XGX is highly valued. 
  • Deep understanding of industrial safety and electrical standards, including ANSI/RIA 15.06, OSHA regulations, NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A. 
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects and vendor engagements 
  • Expert in motion control, pneumatics, hydraulics, and sensors. 
  • Experience working in Agile development environments, including task management and sprint planning using Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira. 
  • Willingness and ability to travel up to 20% - 25% including internationally 

 

Bonus Qualifications: 

  • Functional Safety Expert or Professional (ISO 13849) 
  • Strong proficiency in CAD software (3DEXPERIENCE (3DX), CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Creo etc.) for designing mechanical assemblies. 
  • Power Electronics Assembly experience is highly valued from energy storage and conversion, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, or consumer electronics manufacturing. 
  • Experience in assembly line simulation software (FlexSim, Rockwell Arena, Dassault DELMIA, Siemens Process Simulate 
  • Experience designing NFPA 79 compliant Electrical Cabinets and Industrial Machines

Please note: This role requires working on-site 5 days a week. We do not offer hybrid or remote options. 

 

Reno Pay Range

$160,000 - $180,000 USD

Pay Disclosure & Benefits

Compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law.  

The benefits outlined below apply exclusively to employees located in the United States.

  • Competitive Salary + Incentive Stock Options 
  • Medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees and their dependents, effective from the start of hire
  • Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
  • Employees receive paid time off (PTO), paid sick days, and paid company holidays so they can rest, recharge, and take care of their health and personal needs.
  • Commuter Benefits 
  • 6-12 weeks 100% paid parental leave

Singapore-based employees receive benefits in accordance with local government provisions.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Amperesand is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Amperesand is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. 

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