Junior Controls Engineer
Role summary
The Junior Controls Engineer joins the ADC Hardware sub-team and reports to the Hardware Lead.
You will help design, document, build, and commission the physical controls layer for propellant
manufacturing equipment: control panels, field wiring, sensors, VFDs, and industrial networks. You
will work closely with the Software sub-team, which owns PLC programs and HMIs, and with
Technicians who install and maintain equipment on the floor. This is a hands-on, early-career role
with direct mentorship from senior controls engineers.
Responsibilities
- Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and I/O lists for new and
existing equipment
- Specify and select components including sensors, transmitters, load cells, valves, motor starters,
VFDs, power supplies, and remote I/O
- Support panel builds, field wiring, and installation alongside the Technicians sub-team
- Commission new equipment through I/O checkout, loop checks, sensor calibration, and VFD
parameter setup
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks and devices using Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, and
OPC UA
- Integrate instrumentation with data acquisition hardware such as NI cRIO and cDAQ
- Partner with the Software sub-team to define I/O mappings and validate PLC and HMI behavior
against the hardware
- Diagnose and resolve electrical and controls issues on the production floor, including occasional
off-hours support during runs
- Keep drawings, bills of materials, and documentation current in our revision-controlled libraries
- Follow and help improve electrical safety, lockout/tagout, and hazardous-location practices for an
energetics environment
Required qualifications
- BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or
equivalent hands-on experience
- 0 to 2 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or electrical design (internships,
co-ops, and competition teams count)
- Ability to read and create electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
- Working knowledge of AC and DC power distribution, 24 VDC control circuits, and analog and
discrete I/O
- Familiarity with PLC fundamentals and ladder logic
- Comfort with hand tools, multimeters, and hands-on work in a manufacturing environment
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with an electrical CAD tool such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or SolidWorks
Electrical
- Exposure to industrial protocols such as Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, CIP, or OPC UA
- Hands-on experience with VFDs, servo systems, or motor control
- Familiarity with WAGO, Allen-Bradley, or similar PLC and remote I/O platforms
- Experience with NI hardware (cRIO, cDAQ) or LabVIEW
- Knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, or UL 508A
- Exposure to hazardous-location equipment, intrinsic safety, or energetics manufacturing
- Basic scripting in Python for testing, data review, or device configuration
- Experience in defense, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment
Work environment and requirements
- Location: on site at our Luling, TX facility, with occasional travel to Socorro, NM (open question:
confirm primary site and any Austin office time)
- Split between office work and the production floor, including work around energetic materials under
strict safety procedures
- Ability to lift up to 50 lb, climb ladders, and work in panels and on equipment for extended periods
- Willingness to wear required PPE and follow site safety, LOTO, and ESD procedures
- Occasional evening or weekend support during production runs and commissioning
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required (