Automation and Controls Engineer (Nuclear Automation)

Location: Torrance, California, United States; onsite work with loop checks, commissioning, and plant support

Salary: $90,000–$137,000 USD per year

Company

hirify.global develops scalable, high-temperature nuclear power systems, including reactor technology and nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities.

What you will do

• Develop, modify, test, and commission PLC and DCS application code using Rockwell, Siemens, or equivalent platforms and IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Build SCADA and HMI content, including tag databases, display instances, navigation, faceplates, and situational-awareness graphics.
• Implement ISA-88 batch phases and equipment modules, configure alarms, and support recipe and batch testing.
• Configure historians, asset frameworks, operational dashboards, reports, and industrial communication interfaces such as OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, and Modbus.
• Write SQL queries and Python scripts for data processing, reporting, and control-system test automation.
• Execute FAT, SAT, loop checks, and commissioning procedures; troubleshoot software faults and maintain tag lists, alarm databases, backups, and as-built records.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Computer, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• At least 2 years of experience in controls software, PLC programming, SCADA development, or related automation work; substantial internship or co-op experience may count at the hiring manager’s discretion.
• Hands-on PLC programming experience with Rockwell, Siemens, or an equivalent platform using IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Exposure to SCADA or HMI development and familiarity with at least one industrial communication protocol: OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus.
• Ability to read P&IDs, loop diagrams, and I/O lists, with strong documentation habits and attention to detail.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Willingness to work onsite in industrial conditions and on commissioning schedules is required.

Nice to have

• Ignition certification or Rockwell/Siemens training credentials.
• EIT designation or FE exam completion.
• Experience with process industries, manufacturing, utilities, system integration, batch control, alarm management, HMI design, or plant historians.
• Exposure to IEC 61511 functional safety testing, SQL, Python, REST APIs, or Git.

Culture & Benefits

• Early-career development alongside senior, staff, and principal engineers.
• Safety-first culture with operator-focused design, data integrity, disciplined documentation, and nuclear-quality practices.
• Equity ownership in a rapidly growing advanced energy startup.
• Comprehensive medical benefits and unlimited PTO.
• Free daily lunch and dinner onsite, plus a generous PPE stipend.
• Opportunities for rapid career growth and direct collaboration with operators, engineers, and industry leaders.