Controls Engineer

AST SpaceMobile

Midland, TX

On-siteCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward candidates with industrial automation experience comfortable with PLC programming and system integration, working in a collaborative, hands-on environment in Midland, Texas.

Best fit for

Candidates with experience in PLC programming and automation system integration
— “Program, test, and commission PLCs using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or Schneider Electric.”
Candidates with a background in electrical control systems and industrial process design
— “Design and develop control systems for automated equipment, machinery, and industrial processes.”

Things to consider

Requires physical presence on the manufacturing floor and ability to lift up to 50 lbs
— “Must lift up to 50 lbs. while testing or inspecting materials as needed”
Occasional travel to different sites and support during installations or outages
— “Must be able to travel on occasion (10%) to include working in at different site(s) as business needs arise”

How to stand out

Emphasize your ability to work across disciplines and support system validation and testing
— “Works closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and operations teams to improve system performance, safety, quality, and productivity.”
Showcase your skills in designing control architectures and creating technical documentation
— “Create electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and system documentation.”
Demonstrate your ability to troubleshoot complex control system issues and implement safety measures
— “Diagnose and resolve control system failures and automation-related issues.”
Emphasize your hands-on experience with industrial networks like Ethernet/IP and Profinet
— “Integrate robotic systems, servo drives, vision systems, and industrial communication protocols.”

Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

design, develop, implement, and maintain industrial control systems and automation solutions
program, test, and commission PLCs using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or Schneider Electric

Typical background

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field

Skills & requirements

Required

PLC ProgrammingScada SystemsIndustrial NetworksAutomation EquipmentTroubleshooting

Preferred

Robotic SystemsVision SystemsIndustrial Communication Protocols

Stack & domain

Industrial Control SystemsAutomation SolutionsPlcsHmisScada SystemsMotion ControllersIndustrial NetworksProgramming PlcsHMI And Scada InterfacesRobotic SystemsServo DrivesVision SystemsIndustrial Communication ProtocolsEthernet/ipProfinetModbusDevicenetSafety InterlocksEmergency Stop CircuitsSafeguarding SystemsRegulatory And Quality AuditsCommunicationTeamworkProblem SolvingLeadership

About the role

Original posting from AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Position Summary
The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of industrial control systems and automation solutions. This role supports manufacturing, testing, and operational processes by developing reliable control architectures, programming PLCs and HMIs, integrating automation equipment, and troubleshooting complex electrical and control system issues. The Controls Engineer works closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and operations teams to improve system performance, safety, quality, and productivity. This position reports to the Director of Integration Tooling.
Key Responsibilities
System Design & Development
Design and develop control systems for automated equipment, machinery, and industrial processes.
Create electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, and system documentation.
Develop control architecture utilizing PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, motion controllers, and industrial networks.
Specify and select control system hardware, sensors, actuators, drives, and instrumentation.
Programming & Integration
Program, test, and commission PLCs using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or Schneider Electric.
Develop and maintain HMI and SCADA interfaces.
Integrate robotic systems, servo drives, vision systems, and industrial communication protocols.
Configure and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, DeviceNet, and other industrial networks.
Testing & Commissioning
Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).
Support startup, commissioning, and validation of automated systems.
Develop test plans and verification procedures.
Troubleshoot system issues during installation and operation.
Maintenance & Continuous Improvement
Diagnose and resolve control system failures and automation-related issues.
Implement process improvements to increase system reliability, efficiency, and throughput.
Support preventive and predictive maintenance initiatives.
Maintain control system backups, software revisions, and technical documentation.
Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards and regulations.
Participate in risk assessments and machine safety reviews.
Design and implement safety interlocks, emergency stop circuits, and safeguarding systems.
Support regulatory and quality audits as required.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.
Experience programming PLCs and HMIs.
Strong understanding of electrical control systems and industrial automation.
Ability to read and create electrical schematics and technical drawings.
Experience troubleshooting electrical and automation systems.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Safety Awareness
Adaptability
Working Conditions
Manufacturing floor
Must wear PPE while working in a manufacturing environment
Must be able to travel on occasion (10%) to include working in at different site(s) as business needs arise
Occasional support during equipment installations, commissioning activities, and production outages.
Ability to work around industrial equipment and machinery while following all safety requirements.
Must lift up to 50 lbs. while testing or inspecting materials as needed
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.
AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Source: AST SpaceMobile careers