Controls & Automation Engineer

Limelight Steel is a clean technology company developing an electric ironmaking process that uses laser light to decarbonize primary steel production. Their core innovation replaces traditional carbon-intensive blast furnaces with a laser-based furnace system, enabling the ironmaking process to be fully electrified. The company reports up to 20% energy savings over conventional steelmaking methods and aims to deliver zero-emissions steel at cost-parity with existing production techniques. The company's mission is centered on addressing one of the most carbon-intensive industrial sectors in the global economy. Steel production is responsible for approximately 7-9% of global CO2 emissions, and Limelight Steel's approach targets the primary ironmaking stage, which is the largest source of emissions in the steelmaking value chain. By electrifying this process with laser technology, they seek to enable a scalable, economically competitive pathway to decarbonized steel. Limelight Steel has received significant recognition and institutional support, including a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E program, backing from Khosla Ventures, and inclusion on the Cleantech Group's 2024 Cleantech 50 to Watch list. The company was also named by Popular Science as one of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024 and appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 energy list. They are an Activate Fellowship company, reflecting their origins in deep scientific research.

Role Summary

As an Automation & Controls Engineer at Limelight Steel, you will support the commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrades of the electrical and controls systems for our demo-scale laser furnace and related process equipment.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day troubleshooting, maintenance, and improvement of existing SCADA, and PLC systems.

• Assist with field wiring, panel changes, device configuration, checkout, and commissioning of furnace subsystems.

• Make and test HMI/SCADA updates in Ignition, including screen changes, tag updates, alarm updates, trends, and operator interface improvements.

• Support Codesys PLC troubleshooting, logic changes, I/O mapping, function block testing, and controls verification.

• Create and maintain controls-related engineering documentation, including P&IDs, control narratives, I/O lists, loop drawings, panel schematics, and device settings.

• Integrate and troubleshoot equipment such as lasers, vacuum pumps, chillers, sensors, valves, VFDs, heaters, and other industrial devices.

• Support safe operation of furnace subsystems, including laser systems, high-temperature equipment, vacuum equipment, cooling systems, and power distribution.

• Provide hands-on support during equipment startup, testing, maintenance, and operational troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in electrical controls, automation, industrial maintenance, or related hands-on engineering work.

• Working knowledge of industrial control systems, PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, electrical panels, field wiring, instrumentation, and troubleshooting.

• Ability to read and update electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, I/O lists, device documentation, and P&IDs.

• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills and willingness to work in the field on wiring, installation, checkout, and commissioning tasks.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Ignition or similar SCADA platform

• Experience with Codesys or similar PLC platform

• Experience with industrial fieldbuses including IO Link/Ethernet/IP/Modbus

• Experience supporting pilot plants, R&D equipment, or industrial process equipment.

• Experience with lasers, vacuum pumps, chillers, high-temperature equipment, heaters, gas systems, or metallurgical equipment.

• Experience updating control panels, terminating field wiring, configuring sensors, replacing devices, and validating control system changes.

Benefits

• Competitive stock option package

• Comprehensive health benefits that include:

  • Full premium coverage for PPO Gold for employees with 80% coverage for dependents

  • Full premium coverage for Vision and Dental for employees

• Generous time-off schedule

  • 20 days paid time off (accrued according to number of hours worked)

  • 10 holidays (personalized to the holidays you observe)

• 401(k) with a 4% safe harbor company match

• 2x weekly catered team lunches

• A team of curious, passionate, kind, and courageous people committed to eliminating industrial emissions that contribute to climate change

• Unparalleled opportunities for growth, leadership, and project ownership in a dynamic and rapidly-growing startup company