Sr Controls & Automation Engineer

What You'll Do

• Technical Architecture & Innovation Strategy
• Serve as the lead technical authority within the innovation lab
• Define control systems architecture and integration roadmaps connecting frontier robotics with Stord’s internal software ecosystem
• Vendor Evaluation & Strategic Selection
• Partner with lab leadership to evaluate and validate emerging automation and robotics providers
• Narrow vendor ecosystem to a small set of strategic, long-term partners based on performance, scalability, and integration viability
• Systems Integration & Orchestration
• Lead integration of diverse automation systems, including mobile robotics, picking systems, and sortation technologies
• Ensure seamless data and control flow across PLC, WCS, and WMS layers
• Lab-to-Production Scale Strategy
• Develop deployment frameworks, technical standards, and operational documentation
• Enable transition of validated lab concepts into scalable, high-throughput distribution environments
• Robotics & Automation Evaluation
• Evaluate, install, and test technologies such as AMRs, robotic picking systems, goods-to-person solutions, and sortation automation
• Assess systems based on reliability, integration complexity, operational impact, and ROI
• Rapid Prototyping & Experimental Design
• Lead rapid experimentation and simulation of control system capabilities
• Build high-iteration test environments where underperforming systems are iterated or decommissioned based on measurable outcomes
• Controls Systems Engineering & Integration
• Act as SME for PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and industrial controls
• Develop and maintain standard code libraries, electrical schematics, troubleshooting guides, and as-built documentation
• Performance Validation & Root Cause Analysis
• Evaluate automation systems for operational readiness, reliability, and human-system interaction
• Conduct structured root cause analysis to resolve integration challenges
• Identify cases where robotics solutions are not yet viable or cost-effective

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in high-volume manufacturing or warehouse automation environments
• Expert-level PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI development, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet)
• Proven ownership of multi-million-dollar automation projects from architecture through commissioning
• Strong ability to document technical findings, experiments, and system learnings
• Ability to travel domestically 25% annually

Bonus Points

• Experience with high-density warehouse automation and robotics platforms (AMRs, robotic picking, G2P systems)
• Prior experience in R&D or innovation lab environments running automation experiments
• Familiarity with WMS, WES, and WCS architectures and their interaction with automation systems
• Experience partnering with robotics OEMs or automation vendors in live pilot or production environments