Automation Controls Engineer

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories to reindustrialize America. By combining AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we help aerospace and defense companies build rockets, satellites, aircraft, ships, and other mission-critical systems up to 10x faster and at significantly lower cost. Following our $1.37B Series D at a $7.87B valuation, Hadrian is rapidly expanding our manufacturing footprint, launching new capabilities across welding, casting, forging, electronics, additive manufacturing, and more, while scaling our Factory-as-a-Service platform to transform how critical products are built. Backed by leading investors including JPMorgan Chase, Valor Equity Partners, Andreessen Horowitz, Founders Fund, 137 Ventures, Lux Capital, T. Rowe Price, and Morgan Stanley, we’re building the future of American manufacturing—and looking for exceptional people to help make it happen. If you’re ready to take on the most challenging and rewarding work of your career while helping create American manufacturing jobs for generations to come, you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

We are hiring a generalist Automation Controls Engineer to join Hadrian's Special Projects team, standing up customer production lines that span custom tooling, robotic cells, and integrated machine vision. This is an end-to-end role: you will own controls architecture from requirements through PLC / robot / HMI code, panel design, commissioning on the floor, and handoff to production. You'll work directly with manufacturing engineers, tooling engineers, software engineers, and program managers to take new cells from concept to run-off against aggressive customer timelines. High performers grow into Staff Controls Engineer / Tech-Lead roles, setting architecture across multi-cell programs.

Own controls design for new robotic, CNC, and tooling cells from concept through run-off Write and deploy PLC applications on Siemens or other hardware, with reusable libraries and standards Tune and commission multi-axis motion as needed — servos, VFDs, and steppers — and integrate the sensors and safety devices that make it reliable Spec and Design electrical panels, architect the industrial networks (EtherCAT, PROFINET, OPC UA) that tie cells and lines together Build operator HMIs and lead risk assessments Commission on the floor and drive structured root-cause analysis to solve issues Mentor engineers and technicians; codify what works into shared libraries and playbooks What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (electro-mechanical preferred) or equivalent experience 6-10+ years delivering automated cells end-to-end in industrial manufacturing PLCs & motion — Production experience with Beckhoff and/or Siemens, plus hands-on servo / VFD tuning and commissioning Robotics — Programmed a major ecosystem (ABB, Fanuc, Kuka, etc.); comfortable simulating cells before hardware exists Electrical & networks — Cabinet / panel design to NFPA 79 and UL 508A; fluent across EtherCAT, PROFINET, and OPC UA Sensors & safety — Confident selecting and integrating digital/analog sensors and safety devices; can run a risk assessment and defend a PL rating against ISO 13849 Commissioning — Strong practical skills on the floor: wrenching, reading schematics, tracing variables, and finding root cause fast Excellent written and verbal communication; works well with ME, tooling, and software partners Nice to Have High-level programming (C# or Python) to close platform gaps Machine vision experience (Cognex, Keyence, Zivid, LMI) HMI development in Ignition or WinCC MES / API integration (REST, MQTT, OPC UA) Compensation For this role, the target salary range is $154,000-$266,000 (actual range may vary based on experience). This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or