Junior Controls Engineer

Junior Controls Engineer

Role summary

The Junior Controls Engineer joins the ADC Hardware sub-team and reports to the Hardware Lead.

You will help design, document, build, and commission the physical controls layer for propellant

manufacturing equipment: control panels, field wiring, sensors, VFDs, and industrial networks. You

will work closely with the Software sub-team, which owns PLC programs and HMIs, and with

Technicians who install and maintain equipment on the floor. This is a hands-on, early-career role

with direct mentorship from senior controls engineers.

Responsibilities

• Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and I/O lists for new and

existing equipment

• Specify and select components including sensors, transmitters, load cells, valves, motor starters,

VFDs, power supplies, and remote I/O

• Support panel builds, field wiring, and installation alongside the Technicians sub-team
• Commission new equipment through I/O checkout, loop checks, sensor calibration, and VFD

parameter setup

• Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks and devices using Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, and

OPC UA

• Integrate instrumentation with data acquisition hardware such as NI cRIO and cDAQ
• Partner with the Software sub-team to define I/O mappings and validate PLC and HMI behavior

against the hardware

• Diagnose and resolve electrical and controls issues on the production floor, including occasional

off-hours support during runs

• Keep drawings, bills of materials, and documentation current in our revision-controlled libraries
• Follow and help improve electrical safety, lockout/tagout, and hazardous-location practices for an

energetics environment

Required qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or

equivalent hands-on experience

• 0 to 2 years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or electrical design (internships,

co-ops, and competition teams count)

• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Working knowledge of AC and DC power distribution, 24 VDC control circuits, and analog and

discrete I/O

• Familiarity with PLC fundamentals and ladder logic
• Comfort with hand tools, multimeters, and hands-on work in a manufacturing environment
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with an electrical CAD tool such as AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or SolidWorks

Electrical

• Exposure to industrial protocols such as Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, CIP, or OPC UA
• Hands-on experience with VFDs, servo systems, or motor control
• Familiarity with WAGO, Allen-Bradley, or similar PLC and remote I/O platforms
• Experience with NI hardware (cRIO, cDAQ) or LabVIEW
• Knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, or UL 508A
• Exposure to hazardous-location equipment, intrinsic safety, or energetics manufacturing
• Basic scripting in Python for testing, data review, or device configuration
• Experience in defense, aerospace, or another regulated manufacturing environment

Work environment and requirements

• Location: on site at our Luling, TX facility, with occasional travel to Socorro, NM
• Split between office work and the production floor, including work around energetic materials under

strict safety procedures

• Ability to lift up to 50 lb, climb ladders, and work in panels and on equipment for extended periods
• Willingness to wear required PPE and follow site safety, LOTO, and ESD procedures
• Occasional evening or weekend support during production runs and commissioning
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance may be required (