Controls Engineer

Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, co-founder and former CTO of Tesla, on a simple but radical idea: the critical minerals powering the energy transition already exist. They just need to come back. Today Redwood is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America — recovering, refining, and redeploying critical minerals from end-of-life batteries back into the supply chain.

On the energy side, Redwood has deployed the largest second-life battery project in the world, delivering power to AI data centers in months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it operates in is projected to grow 20 to 50 times over the next decade, and Redwood is the only company with the supply chain, the technology, and the operational scale to lead it.

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer who is passionate about pushing beyond the cutting edge of the industry to design, build, and debug best-in-class controls systems for Redwood’s battery recycling operations. This engineer will play a critical role in designing, commissioning, scaling, and supporting all of Redwood’s recycling facilities working at the intersection of chemical process engineering, industrial automation, and software development.

• Designing and implementing real‑time control software in C++ for embedded and industrial systems
• Developing automation tools, diagnostics, and orchestration scripts in Python
• Writing, optimizing, and troubleshooting Structured Text (IEC 61131‑3) for PLCs and industrial controllers
• Building deterministic control loops, state machines, and safety‑critical routines
• Integrating software with sensors, actuators, drives, and industrial communication networks
• Debugging complex issues involving timing, concurrency, hardware interfaces, and industrial protocols
• Leading system architecture decisions for control platforms and distributed automation systems
• Conducting root‑cause analysis for field issues and implementing long‑term fixes
• Collaborating with controls, electrical, and product teams to translate requirements into robust software designs
• Mentoring engineers in real‑time programming, PLC development, and industrial best practices

• 2–5 years of hands‑on experience in controls engineering, industrial automation, or system integration within a high-volume manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in modern C++ for real‑time or embedded systems
• Solid experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data processing
• Hands‑on experience writing Structured Text for PLCs or industrial controllers
• Deep understanding of deterministic execution, concurrency, and hardware‑software interaction
• Experience with industrial protocols such as Modbus, Ether Net/IP, OPC UA, or PROFINET
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering efforts while contributing significant hands‑on code
• Strong debugging skills across software, hardware, and network layers
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

• Experience with motion control, robotics, or process automation
• Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, or microcontroller development
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity standards or best practices
• Experience with simulation tools, digital twins, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing
• Background integrating C++ runtimes with PLC or SCADA systems

The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

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