Demo

Controls Engineer - PLC

TAE Technologies, Inc. and Careers
Foothill Ranch, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/29/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 2/19/2026

About the Role

To design, engineer and implement Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems associated with building, cooling, electrical, vacuum and safety systems.

  • PLC Controller programming using advanced techniques and HMI interfaces
  • Production, installation and commissioning of PLC systems
  • Integrated commissioning of the PLC systems
  • Documentation, operation and enhancement of PLC systems
  • Supporting physics operations for experimental systems and test beds

About You

  • Work with other Engineers and Scientists to produce requirements for PLC based control systems
  • Detailed design and specification of hardware, distributed IO and Infrastructure components
  • Detailed design of PLC software using structured programming, aliasing and UDTs
  • Design of Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
  • Liaison with outside vendors and suppliers of PLC control systems

Education and/or Certification:

Required: B.S. Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science

Preferred: Allen-Bradley Course Certification

Required Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Allen-Bradley Logix range of controllers
  • Distributed IO using FlexIO or similar over EtherNet/IP
  • Interfacing with EtherNet/IP or Profibus systems
  • Safety systems, planning, documentation and implementation
  • Commissioning of network infrastructures
  • At least 2 years’ experience with PLC programming and large distributed control systems gained in an industrial or scientific environment
  • Evaluation and documentation of equipment permit, interlock and sequence logic
  • Experienced in the operation and enhancement of industrial or scientific control systems
  • Interfacing with or design of scientific instruments or systems

Software Knowledge and Skills:

  • Allen-Bradley Logix range of PLC controllers, programming in all four languages (LD, FBD, SFC, ST)
  • Structured approach to software development and documentation
  • FactoryTalk View SE, HMI development, alarms and events, trending
  • Modern HMI and alarm design philosophies following ISA-101 best practices
  • Source code control using GitLab, SVN etc.
  • Knowledge of Ignition HMI systems is preferred
  • Networking using Ethernet, EtherNet/IP, other industrial protocols
  • Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team
  • Excellent communication skills with teams using Intranet based systems (e.g. Atlassian, Redmine etc.)
  • Ability to analyze faults and to accurately document symptoms and solutions
  • Interest in large science or R&D projects

Nice to Have

  • Experience with integration of software and hardware in a high voltage or high current environment with due consideration of safety and EMI factors
  • Experience of InfluxDB and Grafana would be useful
  • Experience with software programming and commissioning of safety systems

At TAE Technologies, we consider a wide range of factors when making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and job-related knowledge, training; licenses and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements depending on the position offered (non-Sr., Sr., Lead or Manager). The compensation range for these roles are $115,000 - $150,000.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

About Us

Imagination, skill, and will

We are a diverse team of over 500 engineers, scientists, professionals, Maxwell Prize winners, and big thinkers from more than 40 countries with a track record of delivering on the innovative ways science can lead humanity into a brighter era. We are not afraid to envision a future where fusion and science can transform our world.

What you’ll get with us

  • Generous benefits such as Medical, Dental, Vision, 401 (K) with company match, paid vacation sick time, companywide December holiday, wellness program, parental leave
  • Payment rewards: For referring talent, novel research, and patents
  • A collaborative environment: An organization where talents and interests can plug in to different groups throughout the organization
  • Potential for equity participation
  • HQ in Southern California
  • Employee events on and off-site
  • A commitment to upholding and growing an inclusive organization

Learn more
tae.com
Our podcast Good Clean Energy
Instagram
LinkedIn

TAE Technologies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

We ensure all individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us recruiting@tae.com to request accommodations or request more information.

Note to Agencies: TAE prefers to hire directly and maintains an existing preferred supplier list. We do not accept speculative CVs or referrals from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Salary : $115,000 - $150,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Controls Engineer - PLC?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Controls Engineer - PLC career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$90,926 - $113,495
Income Estimation: 
$125,799 - $152,617
Income Estimation: 
$110,220 - $132,692
Income Estimation: 
$111,195 - $140,107
Income Estimation: 
$126,558 - $144,904
Income Estimation: 
$96,240 - $123,168
Income Estimation: 
$120,579 - $154,482
Income Estimation: 
$115,522 - $153,258
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Controls Engineer - PLC jobs in the Foothill Ranch, CA area that may be a better fit.

  • Anduril Industries Costa Mesa, CA
  • Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing ... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • Top Engineer Irvine, CA
  • 🚨 TOP ENGINEER JOB POST!!! 🚨Confidential Search for International EmployerIndustry: Renewable Energy / Solar Energy StorageDegree: Bachelor's in Electric... more
  • 2 Months Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!