Sr Controls & Automation Engineer

Controls & Automation Engineer

Stord Labs is launching a dedicated 10,000-square-foot micro-fulfillment environment designed to evaluate and define the future of logistics automation. We are seeking a highly technical, hands-on Controls & Automation Engineer to serve as a lead systems architect within our core innovation team.

In this role, you will own the technical design, integration, and orchestration of advanced automation systems operating in a live experimental fulfillment environment. You will evaluate, install, and prototype emerging robotics and controls technologies under real operating conditions—processing both live and synthetic orders—to determine what truly improves throughput, reliability, and operating economics.

Your work will directly shape which automation technologies scale across Stord's broader fulfillment network, transforming early-stage robotics concepts into production-ready systems deployed across high-volume distribution facilities.

What You'll Do:

Technical Architecture & Innovation Strategy

• Serve as the lead technical authority within the innovation lab
• Define control systems architecture and integration roadmaps connecting frontier robotics with Stord's internal software ecosystem

Vendor Evaluation & Strategic Selection

• Partner with lab leadership to evaluate and validate emerging automation and robotics providers
• Narrow vendor ecosystem to a small set of strategic, long-term partners based on performance, scalability, and integration viability

Systems Integration & Orchestration

• Lead integration of diverse automation systems, including mobile robotics, picking systems, and sortation technologies
• Ensure seamless data and control flow across PLC, WCS, and WMS layers

Lab-to-Production Scale Strategy

• Develop deployment frameworks, technical standards, and operational documentation
• Enable transition of validated lab concepts into scalable, high-throughput distribution environments

Robotics & Automation Evaluation

• Evaluate, install, and test technologies such as AMRs, robotic picking systems, goods-to-person solutions, and sortation automation
• Assess systems based on reliability, integration complexity, operational impact, and ROI

Rapid Prototyping & Experimental Design

• Lead rapid experimentation and simulation of control system capabilities
• Build high-iteration test environments where underperforming systems are iterated or decommissioned based on measurable outcomes

Controls Systems Engineering & Integration

• Act as SME for PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and industrial controls
• Develop and maintain standard code libraries, electrical schematics, troubleshooting guides, and as-built documentation

Performance Validation & Root Cause Analysis

• Evaluate automation systems for operational readiness, reliability, and human-system interaction
• Conduct structured root cause analysis to resolve integration challenges
• Identify cases where robotics solutions are not yet viable or cost-effective

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field
• 8+ years of hands-on experience in high-volume manufacturing or warehouse automation environments
• Expert-level PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI development, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet)
• Proven ownership of multi-million-dollar automation projects from architecture through commissioning
• Strong ability to document technical findings, experiments, and system learnings
• Ability to travel domestically 25% annually.

Bonus Points:

• Experience with high-density warehouse automation and robotics platforms (AMRs, robotic picking, G2P systems)
• Prior experience in R&D or innovation lab environments running automation experiments
• Familiarity with WMS, WES, and WCS architectures and their interaction with automation systems
• Experience partnering with robotics OEMs or automation vendors in live pilot or production environments

Note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship or employment-based immigration support.