Controls Hardware Engineer
About the role
As a Controls Hardware Engineer at Pacific Fusion, you will play a crucial role in the development and implementation of the company's main control system. Your responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams, translating functional and safety requirements into detailed control logic, hardware specifications, and test criteria, and ensuring that all designs comply with relevant standards.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and system stakeholders to develop, document, and validate control system requirements
- Translate functional and safety requirements into detailed control logic, hardware specifications, and test criteria
- Participate in design and hazard reviews to ensure system requirements align with performance, safety, and reliability goals
- Develop control architectures for safety-critical and utility systems
- Develop electrical schematics, control panels, and wiring diagrams for 24VDC control and 480VAC drive power systems
- Specify and integrate PLC, HMI, and communication hardware
- Configure and commission VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
- Implement and verify safety interlock and process control logic in accordance with SIS and NFPA standards
- Develop and test PLC programs using structured and modular programming practices
- Conduct system-level integration testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning support
- Work with instrumentation and field devices to ensure proper control and feedback integration
- Ensure system designs comply with NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and SIS/IEC 61511 standards
- Develop technical documentation including I/O lists, control narratives, functional requirements, and validation test procedures
- Support safety validation, risk assessments, and functional testing throughout the system lifecycle
- Serve as a technical point of contact for controls-related aspects of multidisciplinary projects
- Work closely with fabrication, installation, and operations teams to ensure design intent and performance goals are achieved
- Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods, documentation standards, and controls best practices
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in industrial automation or control system design
- Proficiency with PLC-based systems
- Experience with VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
- Familiarity with systems operating at 24VDC and 480VAC
- Strong understanding of NFPA 70/70E/79 and functional safety (IEC 61511) standards
- Proven ability to develop system requirements and translate them into detailed design documentation
- Industrial Panel/Cabinet design experience
Skills
- Strong understanding of controls engineering principles
- Experience with safety PLCs and interlock logic design
- Experience in large scientific facilities or other high-reliability environments
- Experience with CAD software, especially EPLAN
Benefits
- Industry-competitive salary
- Equity plan (6% employer)
- 401k matching
- Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
Pay Range
$138,100—$207,100 USD
Total Compensation & Benefits
Our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.
About Pacific Fusion
Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy. We are rapidly designing and building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems. Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand.