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Controls Software Engineer - Structured Text

Industrial Robotics Program | Contract Engagement | Seattle, WA or Boston, MA (On-Site) | Immediate Start

About the Opportunity

We are hiring a Controls Software Engineer to join a high-impact engineering team supporting a large-scale industrial robotics program at one of the world's leading e-commerce and logistics companies. The program operates a fleet of over 1,000 robotic pick-and-place workcells across global fulfillment centers today, scaling to 5,000-6,000 machines by 2027.

This is a hands-on, technically deep contract engagement with strong likelihood of extension. You will work inside a small, tight-knit team of controls and software engineers responsible for keeping the deployed fleet running reliably and improving its performance at scale.

The Program

The product is a Transfer Cartesian Cell (TCC) - an 8-axis, servo-driven Cartesian pick-and-place robotic workcell. It integrates with mobile floor robots inside fulfillment centers: the floor robots deliver pods of totes to the cell, and the TCC reaches in, retrieves the totes, and places them onto conveyance systems for downstream handling.

The deployed fleet runs on an IEC 61131-3 control platform on Linux-based industrial PCs. The architecture is mature - this is not greenfield development. Your focus is hardening the deployed fleet, reducing faults, and closing performance gaps while a parallel next-generation platform is developed alongside.

What You'll Be DoingSustainment and Fault Reduction (80-90% of the work)Investigate and resolve bugs and faults in the deployed control application running across 1,000+ machines in the fieldDiagnose issues using machine telemetry, logs, alarm history, and operational data; drive fixes from root cause through deploymentSome fixes require feature-level rework - rethinking modules to remove complexity and improve reliability rather than patchingRate, Throughput, and PerformanceAddress rate gaps and workcell throughput shortfalls - the team is currently behind aggressive performance targets, so your impact is visible quicklyWork across the servo control layer, motion orchestration, and state handling to close performance gapsIntroduce targeted improvements that make the machines faster and more reliable at fleet scaleLab and Hardware TestingWrite, test, and validate control code on physical test machines located on-siteWork hands-on with real hardware - servos, drives, sensors, vision systems, and conveyance componentsDefine test cases and provide QA context for downstream validationDocumentation and Change ManagementAuthor Management of Change Memos (MCMs) detailing each change going to the fieldDrive stakeholder alignment and approval across deployment, operations, hardware, and field support before changes ship fleet-wideCreate runbooks, troubleshooting guides, and hardware failure documentationWhat We're Looking ForMust-HavesStrong IEC 61131-3 Structured Text development experience - this is the core requirementReal controls / PLC software development backgroundAbility to independently own tasks, execute, and deliverHands-on experience with industrial hardware - servos, drives, sensors, motion systemsWillingness to work on-site in Seattle or BostonStrongly PreferredTwinCAT experience - aligns directly with the platform and ways of workingCODESYS experience - ideal, though not requiredServo control, motion, Cartesian, or pick-and-place workcell backgroundEtherCAT or industrial fieldbus depthExperience supporting fleet-scale or production systems, not just single-machine commissioningStrong technical writing - runbooks, change memos, troubleshooting guidesNot a FitLadder-logic-only backgrounds without Structured TextCandidates unable to work on-site in Seattle or BostonExperience Level

We are open to a range of experience levels. Mid-level engineers with 3-5 years are welcome provided they can own tasks and deliver independently. Senior engineers who can plug in immediately are equally welcome. What matters is demonstrated Structured Text capability and the ability to execute.

Location and On-Site Requirement

This role is on-site in Seattle, WA or Boston, MA. Test hardware lives in the lab and close collaboration with the team is essential, particularly in the first few months. For candidates committed to relocating, a short-term arrangement (e.g., weekly travel for the first ~2 months while relocation is completed) can be documented as part of the contract.

Engagement Details

Location: Seattle, WA or Boston, MA - on-site

Contract: Milestone-based contract engagement with strong likelihood of extension

Start: As soon as possible - interviews happening now

Hours: Full-time

How to Apply

Send your resume with a brief note covering your Structured Text experience (and the platforms you've used it on - CODESYS, TwinCAT, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), the types of machines and systems you've programmed, and your willingness to work on-site in Seattle or Boston. We're moving quickly - candidates who can demonstrate real Structured Text depth will be prioritized.

GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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We are supporting a large-scale automation program operating across a globally distributed fleet of high-throughput material handling and robotics systems.

This is not a traditional on-site controls engineering role. The environment is highly software-driven, and all work is performed remotely through Linux-based industrial control systems. Engineers operate at a systems level, diagnosing and improving deployed automation using telemetry, logs, and control logic rather than physical access to equipment.

Key ResponsibilitiesTroubleshoot and resolve control system issues across distributed automation environments using remote access and system dataAnalyze alarms, system states (PackML), and performance metrics (OEE) to identify failure patterns and improvement opportunitiesDevelop, modify, and deploy PLC control logic (Structured Text, Ladder, Function Block) across multiple systemsSupport deployment and stabilization of new automation features and pilot programsStandardize control logic and reduce configuration drift across environmentsCreate diagnostic tools, runbooks, and documentation to improve repeatability and reduce resolution timeProvide support coverage aligned to defined service windows, including evenings and weekendsRequired Skills & ExperienceExperience with CODESYS or equivalent platforms (CODESYS V2/V3, TwinCAT, IndraWorks, SoMachine/Machine Expert, etc.)Strong proficiency in IEC 61131-3, especially Structured TextExperience working with Linux-based systems (CLI, logs, services, remote access)Proven ability to troubleshoot automation systems remotely using logs, telemetry, and system dataBackground supporting industrial automation, material handling, or robotics systemsPreferred ExperienceExperience with cloud-based tools or data environments (AWS, log analysis, monitoring tools)Familiarity with PackML, alarm management, or OEE optimizationExperience supporting large-scale or multi-site deploymentsExposure to version control (Git) and structured development workflowsScripting experience (Python or similar)Additional InformationFully remote (U.S. based candidates only)Long-term engagement supporting production systemsEngineers will work within a distributed team supporting a large installed base of automation systemsImportant Note

This role is best suited for engineers who are comfortable working at the intersection of controls and software. Candidates whose experience is primarily hands-on commissioning or field-only troubleshooting without exposure to remote system diagnostics may not be a fit.

GCS is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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