PLC Controls Engineer

Job Overview

Spacemaker, Inc. is seeking two experienced PLC Controls Engineers / PLC Programmers to join our growing automation team for a current project based in Brastrop, Texas.

This is an exciting opportunity for experienced controls professionals who enjoy working in a hands-on industrial automation environment. The selected candidates will play a key role in programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting advanced automated systems and equipment.

We are looking for mid-level to senior-level professionals with strong experience in industrial controls, with particular emphasis on Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and Siemens PLC platforms.

These are full-time, on-site positions. Candidates must be willing to relocate to Brastrop, Texas, or a nearby community.

What You'll Do

As a PLC Controls Engineer / PLC Programmer, you will be responsible for supporting the design, development, implementation, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of industrial automation and control systems.

Responsibilities may include:

• Design, develop, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC and industrial control systems.
• Develop and maintain automation software using Beckhoff TwinCAT 3, including Structured Text programming.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot Siemens PLC systems using TIA Portal.
• Support system startup, commissioning, validation, and on-site troubleshooting.
• Diagnose and resolve controls, electrical, communication, motion, and automation issues.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks, including EtherCAT and PROFINET.
• Integrate and support drives, servo systems, sensors, remote I/O, safety systems, and other automation components.
• Collaborate with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, software developers, project managers, and field personnel.
• Support automation system modifications, upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in testing and verification of equipment performance and functionality.
• Document PLC programs, controls architecture, troubleshooting activities, and system changes.
• Follow established engineering, safety, quality, and project requirements.
• Ability to travel across Spacemaker sites including travel to the UK.

Required Qualifications

• 5–10 years of professional experience in PLC programming, controls engineering, industrial automation, or a closely related field.
• Mid-level to senior-level experience in industrial automation and controls engineering.
• Strong hands-on experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3. This is a high-priority requirement for this position.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting Siemens PLCs using TIA Portal.
• Demonstrated experience with industrial system commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and field support.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation components and control system architecture.
• EtherCAT
• PROFINET
• Industrial Ethernet and related communication systems
• Experience working with drives, sensors, remote I/O, and industrial automation safety systems.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
• Willingness and ability to work full-time on-site.
• Willingness to relocate to Brastrop, Texas, or a nearby community.
• Ability to travel to Spacemaker sites across the US and UK.
• Must hold a valid U.S. Passport for international travel.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with experience in the following areas will be strongly preferred:

• Beckhoff CX-series controllers
• TwinCAT 3 Structured Text
• TwinSAFE
• Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 PLCs
• PROFIsafe
• Motion control and servo systems
• Automated warehouse and logistics systems
• Conveyor systems
• Automated lifts and shuttles
• AS/RS and other automated material-handling equipment
• OPC UA
• MQTT
• TCP/IP communications
• Bi-lingual in Portuguese, preferred but not required
• Integration between PLC controls and higher-level software, SCADA, WMS, WCS, or other enterprise systems

Why Join Spacemaker?

This is an opportunity to work on a significant automation project and contribute directly to the programming, commissioning, and operation of advanced industrial systems. You will work alongside experienced engineering and automation professionals in a hands-on environment where your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities will have a direct impact on project success.

If you are an experienced PLC Controls Engineer or PLC Programmer with strong Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 experience and a background in industrial automation, we encourage you to apply.