Controls And Automation Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

We are seeking a leader for the Controls Engineering function. As the single-threaded owner of controls and automation strategy, your organization will own the full lifecycle-design, programming, commissioning, deployment, ramp, and sustained operations. You will define controls standards, architect the integration strategy across MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA layers, and partner with integrators to ensure flawless execution.

This role spans pilot operations through high-volume production across diverse processes. You will build a multi-disciplinary team of controls, automation, and SCADA engineers who support line development, launch, and sustained production. You will operate with high autonomy and a bias for action-diving deep into systems architecture and team development while ensuring daily production reliability, safety, and performance.

Key job responsibilities
Controls Design & Development
- Define and implement global PLC architecture, programming standards, and controls design specifications. Establish a scalable framework supporting pilot through high-volume production.
- Develop and enforce controls standards (hardware, software, networking); ensure system integrators and vendors deliver in strict compliance.

- Own the SCADA/HMI layer strategy (e.g., Ignition)-design, deploy, and maintain systems providing real-time visibility into line performance, alarms, and production data.
- Lead automation integration (e.g., Fanuc, Kuka) across assembly and automation cells, ensuring standardized programming, safety compliance, and maintainability.
- Own functional safety design (SafetyPLC, safety-rated networks) and enforce equipment safety standards for all automated systems, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and Amazon safety requirements

MES & Systems Integration
- Architect the MES integration strategy bridging MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA layers. Ensure seamless data flow from shop floor to enterprise systems.
- Partner with the Factory Software team on system architecture, data models, and integration.

Define clear interface boundaries and ensure coordinated deployment.
- Drive traceability, genealogy, and quality data capture at the controls layer to support analytics, yield improvement, and regulatory compliance.
- Establish standards for connectivity protocols (OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET), data historians, and reporting infrastructure enabling data-driven decision making.

Line Deployment, Commissioning & Ramp
- Own controls engineering scope for line deployment: design review, vendor management, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp to high-volume production.
- Manage system integrator relationships end-to-end: define specifications, conduct design reviews, enforce adherence to controls standards, and drive issue resolution.
- Lead troubleshooting, optimization, cycle time improvement, and reliability growth through production ramp to steady-state operations.

- Collaborate with Operations, Process Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure controls solutions meet their operational and production requirements.
- Drive root cause analysis on system failures; implement countermeasures and preventive mechanisms to improve reliability and uptime.
- Develop commissioning playbooks, validation protocols, and startup checklists enabling repeatable, rapid line launches across facilities.

Team Building & Sustained Operations
- Build the Controls Engineering organization from the ground up: hire and develop a multi-disciplinary team of controls, automation, SCADA, and MES engineers plus technicians.
- Establish team structure and operating model supporting line development, launch, and sustained operations with 24/7 production support capability.
- Create mechanisms for knowledge management, troubleshooting databases, and continuous improvement of controls reliability (MTTR/MTBF).
- Own technical documentation for all electrical and control systems

- Foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and operational rigor with the highest standards for system quality and documentation.