Senior Controls Engineer

Salary Range: $ to $ annually

About Novarc Technologies

Novarc Technologies is a Vancouver-based full‑stack robotics and AI company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications. As a Canadian pioneer in the field of collaborative robotics, Novarc has a dedicated team of engineers and scientists eager to solve challenging industrial automation problems. Novarc’s flagship product Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first welding cobot.

The SWR has already won multiple industry awards, been featured in top publications, and generated significant revenue. Our diverse team consists of engineers, developers, technicians, welders, and scientists who are designing and building the welding industry’s most advanced automation solutions with the passion of helping our customers win.

We are looking for a Senior Controls Engineer to join our growing team and support the development and growth of our cobots.

As a Senior Controls Engineer, reporting to the Director of Robotics, you will be responsible for developing amazing new features—from classic motion control all the way to artificial‑intelligence‑driven features—and troubleshooting the welding robots integrated with our welding intelligence package (Nov Eye). You are a critical link in the team, and your creativity and knowledge will enable the continued success of our robots.

• Design and develop PLC‑based software programs specific to customer and project requirements.
• Debug and commission control systems at our facility during the system integration stage and at the customer’s site during installation.
• Travel as required to customer and supplier sites to perform installation, commissioning and training duties.
• Select, test and integrate hardware and software components such as robots, analog devices, motion controllers, sensors, vision systems, and lasers.
• Work with other members of the control systems team and other groups to continuously improve methods of integrating controls technology, with the goals being improved safety, enhanced functionality and reduced cost.
• Work with customers, project managers, designers, welders and electricians to solve problems in order to provide the customer with a complete, functional automation system.
• Provide thorough testing of machine functionality to verify software program completeness.
• Provide remote support for robot installation and work with the installation manager to ensure complete commissioning of the robot in the field.
• Provide accurate documentation for each project and notify relevant team members (welding, sales, etc.) when a feature is rolled out.
• Diagnose and resolve one‑time and repeating customer service issues, implementing long‑term, sustainable solutions.
• Improve department processes and procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Proactively identify and resolve potential customer service issues before they become problems.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

• Experience with managing a small team or willingness to do so.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering.
• 5–8 years of experience with PLC programming and servo controls.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with HMI software, tags, addresses.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with motion control, servos, VFDs, and robotics applications.
• Experience with communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Device Net, etc.
• Hands‑on experience wiring electrical panels.
• Familiarity with DC circuit design and wiring.
• Algorithmic thinking and ability to devise and implement control techniques inside PLC.
• Strategic, critical thinking and analytical skills for structured problem‑solving.
• Strong knowledge of control theory, feedback control, data filtering, and control strategies such as PID and MPC.
• Experience with industrial robots such as ABB and Yaskawa.
• Experience troubleshooting and point‑to‑point testing electrical systems.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Registration as an EIT or PEng through EGBC is preferred but not required.