Senior Industrial Controls Engineer, Structured Safety
Who we are
With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system – reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility.
What we need
We are looking for a Senior Industrial Controls Engineer (STS) to join our Industrial Controls Systems (ICS) team within our Engineering organization. Your job will be to own Symbotic's Structure Safety (STS) Safety PLC platform by designing, programming, testing, and commissioning the safety logic that governs bot access, door interlocks, gate control, and emergency stop sequencing across our automated warehouse structures. This role will help ensure the safety, reliability, and scalability of our automation systems while supporting customer deployments and new product development.
What we do
The Industrial Controls Systems (ICS) team is part of the Engineering organization which is responsible for designing, developing, and supporting the industrial control systems that power Symbotic's warehouse automation platform. The team partners closely with Functional Safety, Software Engineering, and Commissioning teams to deliver safe, reliable, and scalable automation solutions for customer sites.
What you'll do
Design, program, and maintain Rockwell GuardLogix Safety PLC code governing structure- and cell-level safety logic, including emergency stop networks, door and gate interlocks, and light curtain integration.
Apply functional safety standards and partner with the Functional Safety team to support HARA/SRS alignment and safety protocol validation.
Develop Ignition-based safety HMI screens to visualize STS status, alarms, and access controls.
Support field commissioning, validation, and root cause analysis of safety systems at customer and proof-of-concept sites.
Develop reusable, well-documented STS code libraries and coding standards to support scalable safety architecture.
Lead STS projects from design through deployment, conduct design reviews, and serve as the primary liaison between Functional Safety, SAS/Bot Guardian, and Commissioning teams.
What you'll need
Minimum 7 years of experience as a Controls Engineer with hands-on Rockwell GuardLogix Safety PLC programming experience.
Deep knowledge of functional safety standards including ISO 13849, IEC 62061, and SIL/PL, with experience designing safety logic for emergency stops, interlocks, and access request workflows.
Real-world field commissioning and validation experience, including safety protocol sign-off and root cause analysis.
Experience leading controls capital projects.
Material handling or distribution center automation experience preferred.
Experience with Ignition 8 or FactoryTalk HMI development and Rockwell Integrated Architecture (ControlLogix, GuardLogix, CompactLogix, Kinetix, PowerFlex) is a plus.
TUV Functional Safety Engineer certification and prior team leadership experience are a plus.
Our Environment
Up to 50% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver's license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.
The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.
Location: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement for employees located near our Wilmington, MA headquarters. Remote, home-based candidates may also be considered based on business needs.
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About Symbotic
Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.
We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work – for you and the world. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.
The base range for this position in the posted location is $149,000.00 - $204,600.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.