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
    • Audit 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