Sr. Automation Controls Engineer

Archer · San Jose, CA

Level: Senior
Team: Controls
Base pay: $127k–$158k
Travel: 20%
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 6+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A senior controls role at Archer (industrial) in San Jose, CA. Develop, deploy, and validate MES interfaces to production equipment.

They ask for: 6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: FMEA, PLC, Robotics, Automation, Tooling, AutoCAD
Base pay: $127k–$158k
Day to day: about 20% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $123k–$179k. This one lists $127k–$158k.

Median of the low and high ends of 55 live postings that list pay, out of 88 controls engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 87 other live controls postings in California.

Base pay: About 6% below similar roles
Experience asked: More than usual (6+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Automation 63%
✓ PLC 48%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 40%
Python 39%
✓ Robotics 35%
New product launch 20%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FMEA, CATIA / NX, MES, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Archer
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 20% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

This plant: Archer in San Jose

1 other open role at this site.

Propulsion Controls Engineer, Motor · Controls

Full description from ArcherAs posted on their careers site.Show

About The Role

As part of Archer’s mission to scale production of our cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft, we are seeking an Sr. Automation Controls Engineer to help design and build manufacturing automation at scale. This role goes beyond maintaining existing lines—it’s about architecting intelligent manufacturing systems from the ground up. We’re looking for a hands-on technical engineer who thrives on turning complex designs into reliable, scalable solutions, bridging the gap between early R&D concepts and flight-ready hardware.

The primary objective of this role is to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative machine and process concepts. You will lead the full controls system lifecycle, including programming PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and servo drives. In addition, this role involves drafting detailed electrical schematics and overseeing the procurement and fabrication of electrical control panels.

What You Need

✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent hands-on automation experience
✓6+ years of hands-on experience in an industrial automation, controls, or manufacturing equipment environment
✓Experience working as a Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Applications Engineer, or Equipment Engineer
✓Hands-on PLC programming experience, including:
✓Allen-Bradley (primary)
✓Beckhoff (nice-to-have)
✓Siemens (nice-to-have / future-focused)
✓Ability to modify existing PLC programs and/or develop logic from scratch
✓Experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment or production lines
✓Strong hands-on electrical troubleshooting skills
✓Ability to read and understand electrical schematics
✓Experience using AutoCAD Electrical and/or EPLAN (both acceptable)
✓Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP or equivalent)
✓Experience developing or supporting HMI systems
✓Ignition experience is a plus, not required
✓Exposure to SQL databases for logging, recipes, or data exchange between PLCs and higher-level systems
✓Willingness to work onsite in a hands-on manufacturing environment
✓Ability to travel up to ~20% (primarily domestic, later-phase support)

Bonus

Qualifications

✓NFPA 70E certification
✓RIA certifications (e.g., Certified Vision Professional, Certified Motion Control Professional)
✓Hands-on experience with battery module and/or pack manufacturing
✓Experience with PFMEA development
✓Experience with NX and Teamcenter

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of

responsibilities

and qualifications.

At Archer we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company’s business strategy. For this position we are targeting a base pay between $126,700 - $158,400. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy .

Archer is unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this position at the present time.

Show full description ↓

Archer is an aerospace company based in San Jose, California building an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft with a mission to advance the benefits of sustainable air mobility. We are designing, manufacturing, and operating an all-electric aircraft that can carry four passengers while producing minimal noise.

Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.

What You’ll Do

•Assist in the development of high-volume production systems, from early process feasibility studies through scalable production
•Contribute to the development of Equipment Development Standards and templates to drive hardware and software standardization across the factory
•Partner with external system integrators to deliver equipment that meets Archer standards and specifications
•Provide machine design feedback from an electrical, controls, and machine/operator safety perspective; drive implementation with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, Archer standards, equipment specifications, and field labeling
•Support installation, commissioning, and qualification of new equipment and tooling alongside system integrators
•Develop, deploy, and validate MES interfaces to production equipment
•Build HMIs from scratch and improve existing HMIs, with a focus on ignition and V8 systems
•Support in-line troubleshooting of electrical systems, control panels, field devices, and safety interlock circuits
•Develop comprehensive handoff packages for production and sustaining engineering teams
•Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to improve quality, increase throughput, and reduce cost
•Specify and select controls and safety hardware, and program devices for prototype lines and internally developed equipment