senior controls engineer

Job Title: Embedded Controls Engineer

Location: Boston

Duration: Long Term

Client: Actalent

Job Description

• We are seeking an Embedded Controls Engineer to support and optimize the controls layer of our next-generation automated machinery. This role focuses on maintaining a soft PLC platform (CODESYS) running on Linux-based Industrial PCs (IPCs) directly connected to electrical panels. This is a highly challenging role that requires an embedded software mindset. You will inherit an existing codebase programmed in structured text and will be tasked with untangling complex logic, optimizing global variables, and improving deployment reliability. We are looking for an engineer who thrives in the intersection of hardware and software and is adaptable enough to navigate a constrained IDE environment.

Responsibilities

• Own the maintenance, debugging, and optimization of soft PLC code (CODESYS / Structured Text) running on local IPCs.
• Refactor existing code to improve reliability, reduce duplication, and introduce better testing methodologies.
• Manage remote deployments and rollbacks to industrial hardware in the field.
• Troubleshoot complex electro-mechanical systems, sensor inputs, and barcode integrations directly on the machinery.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical and software teams to bridge the gap between high-level orchestration software and physical motor control.
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, design notes, and operational runbooks.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Strong experience in Embedded Software Engineering, specifically with C/C++ programming.
• Willingness and ability to quickly learn and adapt to structured text and the CODESYS IDE environment.
• Hands-on experience working directly with industrial hardware, IPCs, and Linux-based systems.
• Strong debugging and root-cause analysis skills for complex, real-time systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Direct experience with soft PLCs or IEC-3 programming languages.
• Experience with servo-based motion control systems.
• Comfort operating without traditional high-level software tools.

Work Environment

• Work directly with industrial hardware in a Linux-based system environment. The role involves navigating constrained IDE environments without standard unit/integration testing frameworks. Collaboration with mechanical and software teams is essential to bridge software and hardware functionalities.