Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer Job Austin area,Texas USA,Engineering

Senior Controls & Robotics Engineer

Aalo Atomics is pioneering a new era in clean energy with factory-fabricated microreactors designed to deliver affordable, scalable, and reliable nuclear power. Our mission is to make nuclear energy globally accessible, starting with the Aalo-1, a 10 MWe reactor leveraging cutting-edge safety, modularity, and efficiency. Based in Austin, TX, we're rapidly growing as we work to deploy the world's first fleet of advanced microreactors.

Join us and help revolutionize energy for a sustainable future.

Responsibilities:

Design and architect PLC/HMI-based control systems for automated and semi-automated manufacturing lines (welding, machining, assembly, material handling, inspection)
Develop and program PLC logic (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar), HMI screens, and SCADA systems
Specify and select instrumentation, sensors, actuators, drives, motion control systems, safety devices, and industrial networking hardware
Integrate robotic systems (articulated arms, cobots, gantries) into manufacturing cells with appropriate safety protocols.
Commission and validate production equipment on the factory floor — from FAT/SAT through full production handoff
Develop system functional specifications, control narratives, I/O lists, network architecture drawings, and panel design packages
Implement industrial communication networks (Ether Net/IP, EtherCAT, PROFINET, OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus)
Design safety systems in compliance with relevant machine safety standards (NFPA 79, ISO 13849, IEC 62443)
Collaborate with MES/IT teams on data acquisition, recipe management, and production traceability systems
Drive schedule and throughput on automation equipment — identify risks early, solve problems fast, and keep commissioning milestones on track
Develop and document standards in the factory for robot programming, PLC/Robot communications, safety systems, wiring and pneumatics.
Troubleshoot complex electromechanical systems and drive root cause analysis for production issues
Mentor junior controls engineers and technicians; establish controls standards and templates for factory-wide deployment and maintenance

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline
7+ years of hands-on experience in industrial controls engineering, automation, or robotics integration
Expert-level PLC programming (Structured Text, Ladder Logic, Function Block) and/or IPCs on at least one major platform (Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff)
Experience with HMI/SCADA development (Factory Talk, Ignition, TIA Portal, or similar)
Hands-on experience commissioning automated production equipment through FAT/SAT and production ramp
Solid understanding of servo/motion control and industrial robotics integration
Experience executing safety risk assessments for automated processes and build-in safeguards that minimize risks
Experience successfully working cross functionally to deliver automation systems from concept through production handoff

Preferred Experience:

Experience in nuclear, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments (eg. NQA-1, AS9100, ISO
13485, IS9001)
Experience integrating controls with MES/ERP platforms
Experience with IPCs for use in automation and control
Background in automated welding systems (orbital TIG, electron beam, laser)
Experience in a greenfield or major capital-project factory buildout
Knowledge of IEC 61131-3 programming best practices and ISA-88 batch standards
TÜV Functional Safety Engineer (FSEng) or CFSE certification
Experience building controls standards and templates for multi-line factory deployments
Experience developing tech packages for industrial robots (Kuka, Fanuc, ABB)
Experience integrating robotics with CNC equipment
Experience with offline robot programming and virtual commissioning simulations
Background in routine robot data acquisition and analysis
Prior experience in a vertically integrated hardware company where engineers build what they design
Experience writing code (Python, C++, Rust) and ability to utilize AI effectively
Strong communication skills to convey technical reasoning and mission-critical messaging clearly

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in confined spaces and at heights.
Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in various positions
Use of welding PPE (hood, FR clothing, gloves) and other PPE as required.
Factory/shop floor environment with exposure to noise, fumes, heat, UV/arc flash, and moving equipment.

Why Join Aalo?

Lead high-impact programs shaping the future of nuclear energy.
Work alongside top experts in advanced reactors and clean energy.
Be part of a fast-moving, execution-driven startup environment.
Interested? Apply now to help accelerate the future of energy.

What It Takes to Succeed at Aalo

We're building technology that will help reshape the future of energy. The pace is fast, the problems are…