Controls Engineer

Ampera Clean Energy makes a modular power amplification system, relying on nuclear heat input to a supercritical CO2 turbomachinery generator. Excellence in control systems is imperative to Ampera’s success. The Controls Engineer position is responsible for the development of controls systems across multiple configurations of the machine, in a highly regulated environment (including Nuclear Regulatory Commission compliance) and in collaboration with customers and stakeholders spanning multiple domains. 

 

This role can be executed using either (1) a PLC/HMI-based industrial controls architecture or (2) an ECU-based embedded controls architecture. Candidates may be strong in either approach; the expectation is to own the control strategy end-to-end and collaborate across disciplines to integrate with turbomachinery, heat-source, and plant systems.

·       Develop and maintain PLC logic and core control loops (speed, pressure, temperature, flow, valve position), including tuning, commissioning support, and stable operation across the operating envelope.

·       Design and implement HMI/SCADA screens, alarms, trends, and operator workflows, including alarm philosophy and rationalization.

·       Integrate instrumentation, actuators, and plant/supervisory interfaces: sensor selection support, I/O mapping, signal conditioning, control panel design inputs, and communications via common industrial protocols (e.g., Modbus, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC UA), including data tagging and time synchronization as needed.

·       Own panel design and build process, and lead FAT/SAT, including test procedures, simulation/forcing plans, punch-list closure, and documentation updates.

·       Support commissioning and troubleshooting through data/log review, root-cause analysis, issue reproduction, and robust corrective actions.

·       Develop real-time ECU/embedded control software for turbomachinery operation (e.g., speed/torque, valve control, thermal management, surge/overspeed protection).

·       Translate plant and component requirements into embedded software requirements, control algorithms, and state machines, maintaining traceability through implementation and test.

·       Define and implement I/O, sensor/actuator drivers, filtering/calibration/scaling, and diagnostics/fault handling to ensure deterministic trips and safe-state behavior.

·       Integrate ECU communications with the broader system and define data signals for monitoring, logging, and supervisory control.

·       Develop and execute validation strategies, test automation/regression testing, and commissioning support using calibrated datasets and data-logging plans.

·       Support embedded software configuration management, release processes, and field update strategies as appropriate.

·       Own the end-to-end controls lifecycle: architecture and requirements, implementation/integration, verification/validation, and support through test campaigns.

·       Partner cross-functionally to define control strategies for transient and off-nominal operation, protection of high-value hardware, and reliable startup/shutdown and failure-mode behavior.

·       Develop test plans and instrumentation strategies to validate performance 

·       Create and maintain controls documentation

·       Understand, communicate, and comply with stakeholder requirements across multiple domains (e.g., NRC-regulated nuclear quality/regulatory expectations, customer/operator needs in AI/data centers, defense program requirements, and maritime operating constraints), ensuring controls designs, documentation, and test evidence are audit-ready and fit for intended use.

This is a design‑focused engineering role eligible for hybrid‑remote work at the discretion of the director. During periods of prototype builds, assembly, or test campaigns, extended on‑site presence will be required.

 

The Chief Controls Engineer position needs someone with adequate experience in controls engineering at a large manufacturer, but also the understanding of how to design controls systems from a blank sheet. 

-     B.S. in Electrical Engineering (M.S. preferred)

-     Experience working in a large-scale, production manufacturer. 

-     Experience taking hardware from concept through fabrication, test, and iteration

-     Systems Integration / Product Release experience

-     Systems‑level thinking with comfort making technical tradeoffs under uncertainty

 

- Strong fundamentals in low-voltage electrical engineering and electrical/mechanical interfaces

- Sound engineering judgment and ability to make technical tradeoffs under uncertainty

- Strong communication skills and a continuous-learning mindset

- Comfort working with regulated and high-assurance stakeholders

 

·      $95,000 – $155,000 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications

·      Equity