Controls Development Engineer, Automation & Data Systems, Fremont Manufacturing Engineering

Position: Controls Development Engineer, Automation & Data Systems, Fremont Central Manufacturing Engineering
What to Expect

The Manufacturing Controls Development Engineer, Automation & Data Systems position is located at our Fremont Factory location. The primary responsibility of this role is to apply first principles thinking to design, develop, and maintain core controls systems that bridge manufacturing gaps. This involves innovating automation and data architectures grounded in electrical design fundamentals, software development principles, data systems architecture, control system theory, and cybersecurity to mitigate threats-tackling complex, real-world challenges in a fast-paced environment that demands creative problem-solving and continuous learning.

It includes integrating PLC/SCADA with advanced manufacturing and energy systems for physics-driven optimization of production processes, plus creating scalable systems for functionality enhancements, quality inspection, real-time process optimization, and predictive maintenance through condition monitoring and equipment reliability analysis.

What You'll Do

* Help design automation and data architectures grounded in electrical design, engineering fundamentals, software development principles, data systems architecture, and control theory, with a focus on integrating condition monitoring for motors, pumps, and other critical equipment

* Create scalable systems for production output, quality inspection, real-time process optimization, and predictive maintenance strategies to enhance equipment uptime and reliability

* Design and develop manufacturing data systems from concept to production, analyzing equipment KPI trends, conducting reliability analysis, and implementing predictive models to forecast failures in motors, pumps, and related systems

* Implement cloud-based solutions for data collection/storage, using Python/SQL to interface with MES and production databases, while incorporating sensor data for real-time condition monitoring and fault prediction

* Design, program, and commission automation equipment to improve systems, including predictive maintenance tools that leverage historical data for proactive interventions

* Predict faults from machine data (e.g., vibration, temperature, and performance metrics for motors and pumps), coordinate cross-functional alerts/corrective actions based on reliability analysis, and maintain CI/CD pipelines for tracking and reporting predictive maintenance outcomes

* Optimize HMI/SCADA/MES interfaces; conduct in-house tech exploration, implement safety standards with periodic inspections, and integrate predictive analytics for equipment health monitoring

* Contribute to OT cybersecurity projects to secure manufacturing networks and devices against threats, ensuring robust protection for data streams from condition monitoring systems

What You'll Bring

* Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent relevant industry experience

* 2-5 years of hands-on experience as a Controls Engineer or Applications Engineer, working on automation/electromechanical systems in industrial, high-tech/R&D, biotech/pharma, food/beverage, or advanced manufacturing (e.g., battery production) environments; recent graduates or entry-level candidates with relevant internships or projects encouraged to apply

* Proficiency in industrial systems including configuring control networks (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, BACnet, Serial Communication), PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, etc.), designing and implementing safety systems, and developing HMIs (at least one of the following: Ignition, WinCC)

* Deep understanding of first principles in electrical design (including electrical schematic design using ePLAN for circuits and power distribution), software development, data systems architecture, and control theory, with specialized knowledge in condition monitoring techniques for motors and pumps

* Hands-on experience in manufacturing settings, solving complex problems via foundational breakdowns in software, data, and electrical design, including proven results in predictive maintenance programs that have improved equipment reliability and reduced downtime

* Proficiency in…