Staff Controls Engineer, Robotics & Vision

Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form! 

In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.

Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing -  might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.

Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.

Role Description

As a Staff Controls Engineer on the Robotics & Vision team, you will step into a high-impact technical leadership role. You will own the design, development, and deployment of novel automation equipment used to manufacture our revolutionary Iron-Air batteries.

Reporting to our Senior Controls Engineering Manager, you will serve as a pillar of a rapidly growing Manufacturing Control and Execution Systems team. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep hands-on technical execution with high-level project leadership and mentorship, shaping both our factory floor and the careers of the engineers around you.

Relocation assistance is available.

What you'll do:

• Technical Leadership: Act as the technical lead on multiple concurrent Robotics & Vision projects, collaborating closely with Automation, E&I, and SCADA teams to deliver complex systems on time and within budget.

• Mentor & Guide: Share your wealth of knowledge to technically and professionally mentor less experienced robotics and vision controls engineers.

• Vendor Partnership: Collaborate directly with equipment vendors to ensure they meet Form Energy’s rigorous equipment standards. You will lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor sites and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at Form Factory 1.

• Hands-on Innovation: Develop, test, and program advanced robotics and vision systems, integrating them seamlessly with PLCs, SCADA, and MES layers. This includes programming and troubleshooting MES data transactions within PLC programs.

• Continuous Improvement & Support: Serve as an advanced escalation point for our sustaining, production operations, and maintenance teams. You’ll troubleshoot complex robotics, vision, and electrical issues to maximize throughput and ensure top-tier safety. (Note: This role includes a rotating on-call responsibility for off-hour high-level escalations).

What you'll bring:

• Experience: 8+ years of hands-on engineering experience working deeply with robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.

• Advanced PLC Programming: Independence in programming and troubleshooting within Siemens TIA-Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000, including PLC product tracking and handshake/data programming.

• Robotics Mastery: Advanced proficiency in FANUC and FANUC ROBOGUIDE (you should be comfortable training others on these platforms).

• Vision Systems: Expertise in Keyence and Cognex Barcode Scanners, Inspection systems, and Position applications (ability to train others required).

• Functional Safety: Deep familiarity with Functional Safety systems. You can independently review electrical hardware and programming, train others on FANUC DCS Programming, and handle Siemens ProfiSafe and Rockwell CIP Safety programming (with minimal supervision).

• Electrical & Diagnostic Skills: Ability to independently read, interpret, and redline complex electrical schematics to troubleshoot industrial hardware.

• Tools: Independent execution using iba and Octoplant.

Nice to have:

• Familiarity with Beckhoff TwinCat.

• Experience with SCADA/HMI platforms like Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME.

• Knowledge of OT Networks (configuring Siemens Scalance Managed Network Switches).

• Design experience using AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks.

• Experience with IPC/Panel PC setup and control panel fabrication.

Where you'll work:

This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000-square-foot facility is our hub for high-volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.

#LI-Onsite

Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here. 

When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed. 

To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.