Controls Hardware Engineer
Join Pacific Fusion as a Controls Hardware Engineer to design and implement control systems for innovative fusion energy solutions.
Posted by employer 3 months ago
First seen on Joblaze 2 months ago
Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago
Skills & Technologies
Requirements
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
Not disclosed in this posting: work arrangement, visa sponsorship.
Benefits
Joblaze summary
In the role of Controls Hardware Engineer at Pacific Fusion, the individual will focus on designing and implementing control systems that meet safety and performance standards. Key skills include proficiency in PLC-based systems, experience with VFDs and motion control, and a solid understanding of relevant safety regulations. This position is ideal for someone with over five years of experience in industrial automation, particularly those with a background in high-reliability environments. The company, founded in 2023, is rapidly advancing its ambitious fusion energy projects, making this a dynamic and impactful opportunity.
Joblaze insights
- Listed about 2 months ago — first seen on Joblaze September 3, 2026. Last confirmed on Pacific Fusion's careers page November 2, 2026.
- Salary band is in line with the typical range for comparable tech roles (median ~$130,000).
- Starts above 50% of 10 comparable senior other roles that list PLC we track (median $137,500 across 6 companies).
- PLC appears in 0.7% of 4112 comparable senior other roles; HMI appears in 0.6% of 4112 comparable senior other roles.
Quick facts
- What's the salary range?
- Pacific Fusion lists $138,100–$207,100 for this role.
- How much experience is required?
- At least 5 years of relevant experience for this Controls Hardware Engineer role.
- What's the tech stack?
- Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: HMI, IEC 61511, NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, PLC.
- What seniority level is this role?
- Pacific Fusion targets senior candidates for this position.
- Is this full-time or contract?
- Full-time for this Controls Hardware Engineer role at Pacific Fusion.
From the original posting
About Pacific Fusion
Why This Role Matters
As a Controls Hardware Engineer, you will be an instrumental part of interfacing between project teams and gathering controls oriented requirements. Primarily you will take those requirements and design significant parts of our main control system. This role requires an individual who has a passion for controls engineering, and would like to grow in hardware design and implementation.
What You'll Do
- Requirements & System Definition
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and system stakeholders to develop, document, and validate control system requirements
- Translate functional and safety requirements into detailed control logic, hardware specifications, and test criteria
- Participate in design and hazard reviews to ensure system requirements align with performance, safety, and reliability goals
- Control System Design and Implementation
- Develop control architectures for safety-critical and utility systems
- Design electrical schematics, control panels, and wiring diagrams for 24VDC control and 480VAC drive power systems
- Specify and integrate PLC, HMI, and communication hardware
- Configure and commission VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
- Implement and verify safety interlock and process control logic in accordance with SIS and NFPA standards
- Software Development and Integration
- Develop and test PLC programs using structured and modular programming practices
- Conduct system-level integration testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning support
- Work with instrumentation and field devices to ensure proper control and feedback integration
- Compliance and Documentation
- Ensure system designs comply with NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, and SIS/IEC 61511 standards
- Develop technical documentation including I/O lists, control narratives, functional requirements, and validation test procedures
- Support safety validation, risk assessments, and functional testing throughout the system lifecycle
- Collaboration and Technical Leadership
- Serve as a technical point of contact for controls-related
aspects of multidisciplinary projects - Work closely with fabrication, installation, and operations teams
to ensure design intent and performance goals are achieved - Contribute to continuous improvement of design methods,
documentation standards, and controls best practices
- Serve as a technical point of contact for controls-related
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or
related field - 5+ years of experience in industrial automation or control system
design - Proficiency with PLC-based systems
- Experience with VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems
- Familiarity with systems operating at 24VDC and 480VAC
- Strong understanding of NFPA 70/70E/79 and functional safety (IEC
61511) standards - Proven ability to develop system requirements and translate them into
detailed design documentation - Industrial Panel/Cabinet design experience
Bonus Points For
- Experience with safety PLCs and interlock logic design
- Background in large scientific facilities, or other high-reliability
environments - CAD experience, EPLAN experience is a significant plus!
TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
RECRUITING AGENCIES
Standard company text repeated across Pacific Fusion's postings is omitted here.