Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Engineer

Astrion•Mountain View, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Astrion is hiring a full-time PLC Engineer to support the engineering directorate and facilities at NASA Ames Research Center. The role manages the installation, upgrades, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automated control systems for building equipment and facilities, ensuring equipment functions properly, stays up to date, and is documented. The engineer also ensures work and facilities comply with applicable federal, California, and local standards and mandates. The position involves planning and sustaining PLC systems and equipment, developing and maintaining PLC, HMI, and SCADA software, supporting facility communication networks, analyzing system data, and coordinating with project managers, systems engineers, technical staff, subcontractors, government personnel, contractors, and mission partners. The role is based at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, and travel may be required as needed. Candidates must be able to pass a federal background check and be willing to work on-call, weekends, or overtime for emergency repairs or system upgrades.

Requirements

Five years of hands-on experience working with industrial automation or facility control systems; aerospace experience is preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent four years of hands-on experience.
Background managing HVAC, chillers, boilers, fire alarms, power distribution networks, test equipment, and/or data acquisition systems.
Proven experience programming and maintaining Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Siemens, or ABB Robotics systems.
Work experience with industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Profibus, Modbus, and ControlNet.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining Human Machine Interfaces.
Physical ability to lift heavy tools, climb ladders, and work in facilities, including tight spaces and high areas.
Willingness to work on-call, weekends, or overtime during emergency repairs or system upgrades.
Flexibility in adapting to deadlines, changing schedules, competing priorities, and unpredictable events.
Thorough, detail-oriented, and organized, with excellent time-management and task-prioritization skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Self-motivated and an independent thinker.
Ability to pass a Federal Background Check.

Nice To Haves

Working understanding of federal and NASA standards and mandates, including NPR 7150.2 NASA Software Requirements.
Knowledge and experience with NASA standards and best practices, especially those related to automation systems.
Exceptional customer relationship management skills.
Aerospace experience.

Responsibilities

Establish a master plan for facility and equipment installation, maintenance, and upgrades.
Manage the sustaining operation, day-to-day function, and implementation of PLC systems and equipment installed in facilities.
Write and edit code for PLCs, HMI screens, and SCADA systems.
Maintain software revision control and certification compliance.
Create and maintain PLC system and equipment documentation, including new-installation packages and records of as-built or installed equipment and systems.
Write, upload, test, debug, and maintain software.
Update and maintain facility and industrial communication networks.
Analyze data, including processing system logs and identifying trends to improve equipment performance and prevent downtime.
Troubleshoot and quickly diagnose and resolve electrical, hardware, and software issues.
Ensure work and equipment meet federal, California, and local safety codes, including NFPA 70E and OSHA guidelines.
Coordinate with subcontractors to ensure equipment installation, upgrades, and maintenance comply with standards and mandates.
Work with project managers, systems engineers, and technical staff to improve facilities and equipment and resolve issues.
Prepare monthly, annual, and periodic documentation and reports.
Identify, communicate, and deconflict tasks and deliverables.
Interface with government personnel, contractors, and mission partner staff.