The Controls Engineer will manage automation and controls systems lifecycle, develop and optimize PLC controls, support manufacturing stability, and lead automation projects within machining operations.
Join Energy Recovery and Help Build a Sustainable Future
At Energy Recovery, we build products that help limit global temperature rise, reduce carbon emissions, provide safe drinking water for millions of people, and bring efficiency and sustainability to a range of industries. Our products help customers avoid approximately 19.7 million metric tons of carbon emissions per year -- equivalent to removing over 4.7 million cars from the road!
In addition to innovating world-class products that help our customers and the environment, our employees enjoy a diverse, collaborative work culture, as well as extensive company benefits that support the overall wellbeing of our staff. This includes everything from generous health plans and time off, paid family leave, subsidized lunches and company events, and opportunities for charitable giving and volunteering in the community.
What You Can Look Forward To:
Energy Recovery, Inc. is seeking a Controls Engineer who can own the full lifecycle of automation and controls systems across our machining and ceramic production operations. You will be responsible for developing, troubleshooting, optimizing, and maintaining PLC-based controls, integrating sensors and automation hardware, and supporting capital projects that unlock capacity and process stability.
This role is highly cross-functional and requires someone who can be on the shop floor, diagnose issues quickly, and collaborate with Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering.
What Will You Do?
- Controls & Automation:
- Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLCs for CNC machines, kilns, pumps, and auxiliary equipment.
- Design and implement HMI screens, alarms, safety interlocks, and data logging.
- Integrate new sensors, drives, and controls hardware to support process improvement projects.
- Develop and maintain documentation for electrical panels, wiring diagrams, and controls architecture.
- Manufacturing Support:
- Provide real-time controls support for manufacturing—focus on uptime and corrective actions.
- Partner with Maintenance to resolve electrical and controls failures (root cause + corrective actions).
- Support Production with machine stability issues, cycle-time improvements, and repeatability.
- Projects & Continuous Improvement:
- Lead controls workstreams for automation upgrades, new equipment installation, and retrofits.
- Implement networked machine monitoring (EtherNet/IP, OPC, industrial protocols).
- Drive reliability improvements through predictive diagnostics and sensor-based monitoring.
- Own standards for PLC coding, safety circuits, and electrical panel design.
What You Bring to the Table:
- Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls, or related.
- 3–7+ years in manufacturing controls engineering.
- Strong experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLCs.
- Experience troubleshooting servo systems, VFDs, sensors, relays, and industrial networking.
- Ability to read and create electrical schematics.
- Comfort working hands-on on the shop floor.
- Experience with CNC machines (Haas, Supertech, Toyoda, etc.).
- Familiarity with kiln controls, high-temp process equipment, robotics, or SCADA.
- Experience implementing machine data capture.
- Experience in high-mix, low-volume environments with tight tolerances.
- Experience with selecting, scoping and monitoring external contractors and vendor for repairs, upgrades and new equipment commissions.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams including production, maintenance and quality.
What's in it for Me?
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with options for family coverage
- Retirement Plans: 401(k) plan with company matching to help you save for the future
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation policy, paid sick leave, and paid holidays to ensure a healthy work-life balance
- Wellness Programs: Mental Wellness Support with therapy and coaching in addition to an employee assistance program
- Fitness Perks: Enjoy access to our on-site gym with an on-site trainer, yoga classes and gym reimbursement for remote employees
- Team Events: Regular team-building activities and social events to foster a positive work culture such as; ping-pong tournaments, gratitude lunches, and summer BBQs
- Referral Bonus: Earn up to $1,500 for referring friends
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax savings for medical expenses, commuter, and dependent care, helping you manage out-of-pocket costs
- Tuition Reimbursement: Financial support for continuing education, including courses and degree programs to help you advance your career
- Paid Parental Leave: Generous paid leave for new parents to bond with their children and support family needs
We are an EOE/AA employer committed to workforce diversity.
No recruiters or phone calls.
Top Skills
Allen-Bradley
Cnc Machines
Ethernet/Ip
Hmi
Industrial Networking
Opc
Plcs
Robotics
Rockwell Automation
Scada
Energy Recovery San Leandro, California, USA Office
1717 Doolittle Drive, San Leandro, CA, United States, 94577
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