Controls Engineer

AtmosZero is reimagining the boiler room for a decarbonized future. Our electrified Boiler 2.0 has drop-in applicability across industry, the built environment, and wherever steam is used today. AtmosZero is backed by leading energy and climate investors.

Reports to: Director of Product Design

Come be a part of an exciting clean energy technology startup in beautiful Loveland, CO! You will work together with an ambitious and talented group of individuals decarbonizing the industrial heat sector. We’re building cutting-edge solutions to transform how industrial heat is generated—clean, efficient, and electrified. To achieve that goal, AtmosZero is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will have a strong background in industrial controls, especially with PLC programming and HMI development.

In this role, you will be responsible for:

• Design, develop, and optimize controls systems and SCADA for AtmosZero Boiler 2.0, including programming and troubleshooting PLCs (Siemens TIA Portal, Allen-Bradley, Automation Direct, Phoenix Contact PLCNext), SCADA platforms (Ignition, Thingsboard), and data acquisition for thermal systems.
• Lead or support commissioning and acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including real-time field troubleshooting.
• Develop and deploy Python-based solutions for control system automation, data analysis, algorithm prototyping, simulation, and testing; integrate these tools with PLCs, SCADA, and historian databases.
• Test and debug control systems to verify performance and safety compliance.
• Collaborate with internal engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams, as well as external vendors, to ensure seamless controls integration.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including operating and maintenance manuals, troubleshooting guides, reports, specifications, and test results.
• Participating in continuous improvement activities to optimize the control system and improve system performance
• Train operations personnel on control system, provide remote support, and participate in a potential 24/7 on-call rotation during commissioning and startup.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• 2–8 years of experience in controls engineering or related discipline.

Technical

• PLC Programming: Must demonstrate proficiency in IEC 61131-3 languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram) with experience using Siemens TIA Portal.
• SCADA & HMI Design and Databases: Must have experience designing and developing HMI and SCADA systems using platforms such as Ignition or Thingsboard, and be familiar with historical databases like InfluxDB and PostgreSQL.
• Safety & Compliance: Understanding of applicable standards for high-power systems (UL, CE, NFPA) and design practices for electrical safety and fault protection.
• Automation & Data Engineering: Must have experience developing Python-based automation tools and data pipelines integrated with PLCs, SCADA, and historian systems for logging, analytics, and KPI reporting.
• Algorithms & Simulation: Must be able to design and implement advanced control algorithms (e.g., PID, MPC) and develop simulation models for thermal and control systems.
• Testing & Deployment: Must demonstrate proficiency in building automated test frameworks and deploying Python services using Docker and CI/CD tools while writing clean, well-documented code.
• Controls Networking: Must possess knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including OPC UA, Modbus, and Profinet.
• Time-Series Manipulation Across Dimensions: Advanced skills in managing historian databases that log events across multiple timelines and dimensions.
• Field Commissioning & Troubleshooting: Demonstrated experience commissioning and troubleshooting control systems in industrial or pilot unit environments.

Other Requirements:

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Authorization to work in the U.S.
• Onsite full time in Loveland, CO (5 days/week)
• Willingness to travel up to 25% for commissioning, training, and customer support

Preferred Candidates have one or more of the following qualifications:

• Electrical & Control Hardware: Experience with electrical hardware design, including selection and sizing of control and data acquisition components, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, panel layouts, and logic diagrams.
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Experience optimizing electrical systems for cost-effective, scalable manufacturing.
• Power Electronics Design: Experience in designing high-power drive systems, including topology selection, thermal management, and EMI/EMC considerations.
• Semiconductor Devices: Deep familiarity with IGBTs, gate drivers, and supporting components such as DC link capacitors, snubber circuits, and protection circuitry.
• Control Strategies: Knowledge of advanced motor control algorithms (e.g., Field-Oriented Control, PWM techniques) and their implementation in high-frequency applications.
• System Integration: Ability to integrate power electronics with high-speed compressor motors, sensors, and control systems while ensuring reliability and efficiency under demanding operating conditions.
• Technical Influence: Demonstrated ability to take ownership of complex subsystems, contribute to architecture and design decisions, share best practices, and mentor less-experienced engineers to build team capability.

Pay: $75,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year

Benefits:

·       401(k)

·       Dental insurance

·       Health insurance

·       Paid time off

·       Retirement plan