Senior Automation Controls Engineer Verified today

About This Role

Blue Origin's Factory Automation team designs, builds, and deploys custom equipment and systems that enable scalable, repeatable production across manufacturing business units. You will drive projects end-to-end, from R&D and design through build, installation, and commissioning while coordinating across multiple disciplines.

As an experienced Automation Controls Engineer, you will define control system architectures, set technical standards, and deliver solutions that work in the real world. You will challenge product design teams to design for automated manufacturing when requirements complicate scalable automation.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with applications engineers on conceptual automated manufacturing equipment, providing controls architecture input from concept through detailed design
• Design control system architectures including network topology, I/O distribution, safety systems, and communication protocols
• Lead industrial controls and electrical design of bespoke automation systems
• Develop offline simulations of automated systems using discrete work cells and fully automated product lines to validate control logic, robot paths, cycle times, and system behavior
• Transition from offline development to online debugging and commissioning of PLC, HMI, robot, and industrial controls programs
• Integrate auxiliary equipment, machines, and tools into unified control systems
• Work with panel fabricators and field installation teams during system integration and commissioning
• Lead factory and site acceptance testing
• Lead the build, installation, commissioning, and start-up of automated manufacturing systems
• Create and deliver controls documentation including sequence of operations, I/O lists, network diagrams, and program documentation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or related engineering field
• Minimum 6 years of hands-on experience developing and integrating industrial controls and automation systems from scratch, including PLC and HMI programming, control system architecture design, and broad exposure to industrial automation platforms such as robots, material handling systems (gantries, AGVs, conveyors), CNC machine integration, NDT, assembly, testing, and process tools
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and review electrical and mechanical drawings
• Experience with industrial safety system design including functional safety devices, safety PLCs, and safety-rated circuits
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with industrial automation and machine safety standards including IEC 61131, ANSI B11, NFPA 79, RIA R15.06, and functional safety standards (IEC 62061 / ISO 13849)
• Experience with industrial automation simulation software such as Plant Simulate, Process Simulate, Visual Components, KUKA.Sim, or RobotStudio
• Experience with industrial machine vision systems, including custom application development using Cognex
• Experience building, modifying, and troubleshooting electrical control panels
• Experience with electrical design for industrial control systems using AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD platforms
• Demonstrated history of delivering custom automated manufacturing systems from concept through production ramp-up

Compensation

Base pay range for CO applicants: $181,626.00 to $254,275.35. Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave, short and long-term disability
• 401(k) with company match up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Stock options for regular employees (20+ hours/week)
• Paid time off: up to 4 weeks per year and up to 14 company-paid holidays
• Performance bonuses based on role type and job level (not guaranteed)

Background Check

Blue's Standard Background Check required for all positions. Additional checks may be required depending on role and location.