Senior Industrial Automation & Controls Engineer

Voyager Technologies, Inc. • Pueblo, CO, CO

6d • $115,000 - $140,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Voyager Technologies is seeking a Senior Industrial Automation & Controls Engineer to support solid rocket motor production and energetic materials manufacturing at Voyager Energetics. The role is onsite in Pueblo, Colorado, and reports to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager. The engineer will design, deploy, maintain, and continuously improve automation and controls systems, while serving as a technical anchor and mentor with a growth path toward leading the automation and controls group.

The position combines PLC programming and robotic integration with electrical system design, cabinet construction, field wiring, plant networking, data acquisition, and HMI/SCADA development. The engineer will evaluate and deploy automation solutions—including robotic work cells, machine vision, and machine-learning-driven process optimization—to improve production safety, throughput, yield, and quality. The role works across Manufacturing, Manufacturing Development, Safety, and Compliance, applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methods across R&D and production programs.

This is an onsite manufacturing role involving travel up to 10%, physical work in a manufacturing environment, and required use of personal protective equipment. Candidates must satisfy eligibility requirements for applicable explosives licenses and meet U.S. Government export-control requirements, including ITAR eligibility. The stated base salary range is $115,000–$140,000, depending on experience, skills, and location; benefits and bonus or incentive compensation are not included in that range.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline and 7 years of industrial automation and controls experience; or a relevant master’s degree and 5 years of experience; or 11 years of hands-on automation and controls experience in lieu of a degree.
• Extensive, platform-agnostic proficiency in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and optimization across multiple vendor platforms.
• Proven experience designing and integrating robotic systems in manufacturing, including robotic work cells, end-of-arm tooling, safety systems, and motion control.
• Working knowledge of machine-learning applications in manufacturing, such as vision-based inspection, predictive maintenance, or adaptive process control.
• Hands-on experience building electrical cabinets, running field wiring, and creating and maintaining electrical schematics, documentation, and bills of materials.
• Ability to solve complex problems from first principles with minimal supervision, independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to convey technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and ability to work within rigorous regulatory environments, including OSHA, ITAR, and hazardous or energetic materials standards.
• Ability to lift, move, or carry items or equipment up to 50 pounds and to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch in a manufacturing environment; use of personal protective equipment is required.
• Meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain applicable state and federal explosives licenses, including minimum age of 21, drug-free workplace requirements, and successful completion of legally required background investigations.
• Meet U.S. Government space technology export-control requirements: be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with energetic materials, explosives, or other hazardous manufacturing environments, including C1D1/C2D1 or equivalent.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt) and demonstrated application in automated production environments.
• Preferred experience with Codesys-based PLC platforms such as Beckhoff, Beijer, and Wago, and ABB, Yaskawa, and Fanuc robot platforms.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, commission, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems and robotic integrations across multiple hardware platforms.
• Evaluate, select, and deploy automation solutions, including robotic work cells, machine vision systems, and machine-learning-driven process optimization.
• Design electrical systems compliant with NEC and UL508A requirements, including systems for C1D1/C2D1 hazardous environments.
• Build electrical cabinets and install field wiring to production standards.
• Design and implement plant networking connecting sensors, valves, PLCs, and control room systems using analog 4–20 mA and Ethernet protocols; implement data acquisition and remote access functionality.
• Design HMI/SCADA screens and systems for operator simplicity, readability, and effective troubleshooting.
• Create and maintain schematics, documentation, and bills of materials for electrical and control systems.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Manufacturing Development, Safety, and Compliance teams to apply automation and controls best practices across R&D and production programs.
• Implement and drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to improve safety, quality, reliability, cost, and throughput.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in controls programming, electrical design, troubleshooting, and automation practices.
• Travel up to 10%, including possible overnight travel within the continental United States.

Benefits

• Flexible Time Off (FTO).
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees.
• Flexible, affordable gym memberships with more than 12,700 nationwide options and on-demand workout videos.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match of up to 4%.
• Company wellness programs supporting physical and mental well-being.
• Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources.
• Opportunity to work with a talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior