Controls Engineer

Giga Energy

$90K — $122K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of PLC and HMI programming/commissioning experience; Rockwell Automation Suite preferred
  • Experience with control panel design and AUTOCAD
  • Strong understanding of control systems principles like loop and PID control
  • Knowledge of VFD drive configuration (Allen Bradley/ABB a plus)
  • Ability to read P&ID diagrams and translate to control logic
  • Familiarity with I/O design and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU)
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Responsibilities

  • Design and develop PLC and HMI programs for automation
  • Create control panels and schematics from concept to documentation
  • Develop network designs using various communication protocols
  • Configure and commission VFD drive controls for HVAC and other systems
  • Interpret P&ID diagrams to implement control logic
  • Collaborate with engineers to integrate controls into facilities
  • Support testing and commissioning activities
  • Troubleshoot control system issues in the field with limited supervision
  • Maintain accurate engineering documentation and backups

Benefits

  • Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Equity in a rapidly growing startup
  • 401(k) with 4% employer match
  • Unlimited PTO and parental leave
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Commuter benefits
  • Team on-sites for collaboration
Full Job Description
What you'll do

As a Controls Engineer at Giga, you will own the design, development, and commissioning of control systems for mission-critical AI infrastructure. From PLC/HMI programming and panel design to control schematics and I/O architecture, you'll be the person who makes the systems actually work - and keeps them running. If you love getting into the details of how complex systems talk to each other and take pride in building things that can't afford to go down, this is your role.
Where you'll work

This role is based out of one of our offices (San Francisco, CA / Long Beach, CA / Houston, TX). We work in person because the best engineering happens when smart people are in the same room.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop PLC and HMI programs for building automation and facility control systems
  • Design control panels and produce detailed control schematics from concept through construction-ready documentation
  • Develop and maintain network designs across a range of communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, and Modbus RTU
  • Configure and commission VFD drive controls for motors, pumps, and HVAC systems
  • Read and interpret P&ID diagrams to translate process requirements into control logic - including valve sequencing, motor control, and pump staging
  • Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to integrate controls into broader facility infrastructure
  • Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities
  • Continuous improvement on existing Controls and BMS design and scale as needed.
  • Troubleshoot control system issues in the field and drive resolution with minimal supervision
  • Maintain accurate as-built documentation, program backups, and engineering records
Requirements
  • 3+ years of hands-on PLC and HMI programming and commissioning experience. Rockwell Automation Suite Preferred
  • Experience designing control panels and producing control schematics using AUTOCAD
  • Solid understanding of general control systems principles including loop and PID control, Cooling systems control with building automation experience strongly preferred
  • Working knowledge of VFD drive configuration and control. Allen Bradley and ABB drives a plus.
  • Ability to read and work from P&ID diagrams, including valve functions, motor control, and pump control logic
  • Familiarity with I/O design and at least one industrial communication protocol (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, or Modbus RTU)
  • Strong learning agility - you pick up new platforms, tools, and systems quickly and without hand-holding
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a closely related field (or equivalent hands-on experience)
Bonus Points
  • Experience with data center cooling control systems or other mission-critical facility environments (hospitals, colocation, power generation)
  • Knowledge of network architecture and industrial cybersecurity practices for OT/ICS environments
  • Experience with additional communication protocols (BACnet, Profibus, PROFINET, OPC-UA)
  • Familiarity with SCADA systems and historian platforms. Ignition experience preferred.
  • Experience working in fast-paced build environments where schedules are tight and priorities shift
Benefits
  • Subsidized health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Equity (options) in a rapidly growing startup
  • 401(k) with 4% employer match
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Parental leave
  • Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Commuter benefits
  • Team on-sites where all offices come in-person to collaborate


Pay Transparency

The range provided below is the role's On Target Earnings ("OTE") range, meaning it includes both the commission / bonus target and annual base salary for the role (if applicable). This salary range may be inclusive of several career levels at Giga and will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits include 401(k) plan plus subsidized medical, dental, and vision benefits.

Salary Range

$90,000-$122,000 USD

Who we hire

We hire people who thrive in chaos and get sharper under pressure. You don't wait to be told what to do, you spot the gap and fill it. When there's work to be done, you do it. You make decisions with the information you have, move fast, and adjust along the way. We're not looking for perfect; we're looking for people who get things done.

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