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Automation Controls Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dennis Group

Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

Carlsbad, CA · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Our automation & controls engineers are frequently facing engineering challenges in applying standard engineering techniques to design, develop, and maintain instrumentation or control systems. Both ...

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Automation Controls information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automation controls engineer?

To thrive as an Automation Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, PLC programming, and industrial automation, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with tools and systems like Siemens, Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMI/SCADA software, and certifications such as Certified Automation Professional (CAP) are highly valued. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this field. These abilities are crucial for designing, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated systems that drive efficiency and productivity in manufacturing and industrial environments.

What are some common challenges faced by automation controls professionals when integrating new equipment into existing systems?

Automation Controls professionals often encounter challenges when integrating new equipment, such as ensuring compatibility with legacy systems, maintaining consistent communication protocols, and minimizing downtime. Troubleshooting these issues requires strong problem-solving skills and collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineers, IT specialists, and production staff. Staying updated on the latest industry standards and technologies is also essential for successful integration and ongoing system optimization.

What is the difference between Automation Controls vs Electrical Technicians?

AspectAutomation ControlsElectrical Technicians
CertificationsPLC, DCS, or automation system certificationsElectrical licenses, OSHA certifications
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, automation system setupsConstruction sites, electrical maintenance
Industry UsageIndustrial automation, process controlElectrical installation and repair

Automation Controls specialists focus on designing, programming, and maintaining automation systems like PLCs and DCS, primarily in manufacturing environments. Electrical Technicians handle electrical wiring, troubleshooting, and repairs across various settings. While both roles require electrical knowledge, Automation Controls professionals specialize in automation technology, making their skills more aligned with modern industrial systems.

What are automation controls?

Automation controls refer to the systems and devices used to manage, command, direct, or regulate the behavior of other devices or systems in industrial and manufacturing processes. These controls typically include hardware and software components such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), sensors, and actuators. The primary goal of automation controls is to increase efficiency, safety, and reliability while reducing manual intervention and operational costs. People working in automation controls design, program, install, and maintain these systems across various industries such as manufacturing, energy, and transportation.

What are the most commonly searched types of Automation Controls jobs in California?

The most popular types of Automation Controls jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Automation Controls jobs in California?

For Automation Controls jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Automation Controls jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Automation Controls jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Automation Controls jobs?

Cities in California with the most Automation Controls job openings:

Automation Controls jobs near you
Infographic showing various Automation Controls job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Automation & Controls Engineering Manager

Heron Power Electronics Company

Scotts Valley, CA • On-site

$108K - $143K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

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 are rapidly scaling our production footprint, and this role is instrumental in designing and ramping the state-of-the-art manufacturing processes that will power our continued growth and deliver our innovative products to market.
As the Automation & Controls Engineering Manager, you will be the architect of Heron Power's factory automation strategy. You will build and lead the team responsible for the nervous system of our manufacturing lines, from the logic running on the floor to the data streaming into the cloud.
In this high-impact role, you will establish our strategy for automation and define our standards for controls, selecting the platforms, protocols, and architectures that will scale with us from pilot lines to mass production. You will manage a team of automation and controls engineers, mentor them in best practices, and collaborate with the broader manufacturing organization to ensure that our equipment is not just functional, but efficient, intelligent, and safe.
How You Will Contribute
  • Team Leadership: Hire, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of controls and automation engineers. Foster a culture of technical innovation, safety excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Strategic Vision: Define the company's controls and automation roadmap. Select standard hardware platforms, software environments, communication protocols, and data systems to ensure scalability across future factories.
  • Design Standardization: Develop and maintain a code library and design standards to reduce deployment time and increase control systems reliability.
  • Project Execution: Oversee the controls engineering deliverables for capital equipment deployment, managing project timelines, internal resources, and external vendors from conceptual design through FAT/SAT and factory ramp.
  • Vendor Management: Serve (with your team) as the primary controls point of contact for external machine builders and system integrators. Review and approve their electrical schematics and software architectures before fabrication and programming begins and lead debugging and commissioning activities through final production ramp.
  • Safety Stewardship: Own the functional safety strategy for the factory. Ensure all equipment meets applicable safety standards and lead internal and external machine safety design reviews.
  • Data Integration: Collaborate with software teams to bridge the gap between OT and IT, ensuring seamless integration of machine data with MES, SCADA, and ERP systems. Oversee the selection and development of MES software for the factory.
  • Problem Solving: While this is a lead role, you will still "get your hands dirty." You will lead high-level troubleshooting efforts when critical issues arise and help code and commission complex systems when the team needs support.

What You Will Bring
We are looking for a seasoned engineering professional with a strong track record leading complex factory builds on time, under budget, and with overall technical and safety rigor. You are a well-rounded subject matter expert in manufacturing control systems with a strong grip on first principles, proven capability leading high-performing technical teams, and an eagerness to navigate the exciting ambiguity of a startup environment.
Must-Have Requirements
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
  • 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, with at least 3+ years in a technical leadership or management role.
  • Proven experience architecting full factory solutions, not just programming individual cells.
  • Expert-level mastery of machine programming (structured text, ladder logic, FBD) and motion control, and MES / HMI integration.
  • Deep proficiency across multiple PLC platforms (Rockwell / Siemens / Beckhoff / Ignition.
  • Experience leading design reviews and validating electrical schematics (NFPA 79 / UL 508A).
  • Strong background in robotics integration, machine vision, and other inspection systems.
  • Experience bridging industrial control systems with high-level plant software / MES.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage external vendors, integrators, and panel shops.
  • Excellent mentorship skills and a demonstrated ability to elevate the technical level of those around you.
Nice-to-Haves
  • Experience in power electronics, electric vehicle, battery storage, or similar manufacturing sectors.
  • Have built a new controls department from the ground up or significantly expanded an existing controls team.
  • Expertise validating designs using Digital Twin or emulation software prior to hardware build (virtual commissioning).
  • Proficiency in EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical for vendor design reviews.

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 $170,000 to $220,000 per year.

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