Senior Automation and Controls Engineer
Intrinsic · San Francisco
Other
Intrinsic is hiring a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer in San Francisco, California. Posted 15 October 2026. Apply directly on Intrinsic's own careers site — no account needed.
Intrinsic is an AI robotics group at Google aiming to reimagine the potential of industrial robotics. Our team believes that advances in AI, perception and simulation will redefine what’s possible for industrial robotics in the near future – with software and data at the core.
Our mission is to make industrial robotics intelligent, accessible, and usable for millions more businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers. We are a dynamic team of engineers, roboticists, designers, and technologists who are passionate about unlocking the creative and economic potential of industrial robotics.
Role
As a Senior Automation and Controls Engineer, you will design, build, and deploy robotic automation systems. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams and customers to determine system requirements, suggest automation layouts, and select and source hardware. You will actively program automation workcells and bring robotics solutions from initial concept through the execution of a successful delivery. Your work will involve continuous collaboration with software developers, product managers, and researchers to invent, maintain, and refine our robotic platforms.
How your work moves the mission forward
- Design and implement rapid, innovative robotic automation workcells, taking projects from hardware selection and electrical design to robot, PLC, and HMI programming.
- Collaborate with product managers, software developers, and researchers to maintain, improve, and invent our robotic platform from the ground up.
- Source and integrate best-in-class technology products into automation workcells.
- Evaluate and actively weigh decisions to build capabilities in-house versus partnering with external system integrators to build a solution.
- Concept new robotic automation applications and scope the effort, feasibility, and cost to build a solution.
- Establish hardware selection and PLC software standards by applying knowledge of industrial control systems.
- Document and communicate your work clearly for internal and external stakeholders.
Skills you will need to be successful
- Degree in Controls / Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- 3 years of professional experience applying robotics, PLC programming (e.g., Beckhoff, Pilz), fieldbus communication, or motion controllers to systems deployed in manufacturing facilities.
- Demonstrable experience designing automation cells with CAD and perform system simulation.
- Experience selecting components and designing electrical and pneumatic schematics for automation equipment, including the ability to assemble designed electrical panels.
- Proficient in debugging and wiring robotic industrial control systems.
- Willingness to work in ambiguity, select a direction, and drive towards a solution.
Skills that will differentiate your candidacy
- Experience designing and implementing safety circuitry and safety logic for use in industrial automation.
- Experience working with and managing vendors, from writing RFPs or SOWs to managing their execution and taking part in system acceptance tests.
- Passion for programming in high level languages beyond low level control.
- Exposure to numerous industries that use robotic automation.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
The base salary for this full-time position is between $159,200 - $217,300 (USD) + 15% bonus + equity + benefits. Your recruiter will share more about the specific salary range for your targeted location during the hiring process.
At Intrinsic, we are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Employment at Intrinsic is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Intrinsic does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. It is Intrinsic’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.
If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please contact us at: candidate-support@intrinsic.ai.
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