Senior Controls Engineer

About Novarc Technologies:

Are you looking to join an industry leader and pioneer in the world of robotics and AI?

Novarc Technologies is a Vancouver-based full-stack robotics and AI company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications. As a Canadian pioneer in the field of collaborative robotics, Novarc has a dedicated team of engineers and scientists eager to solve challenging industrial automation problems. Novarc’s flagship product Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first welding cobot.

Novarc’s SWR has already won multiple industry awards, been featured in top publications, and generated significant revenue). Our diverse team consists of engineers, developers, technicians, welders, scientists who are designing and building the welding industry’s most advanced automation solutions with the passion of helping our customers win.  

Senior Controls Engineer: 

Our never-before-seen welding cobots require customization and R&D. We are looking for a Senior Controls Engineer to join our growing team and support the development and growth of our cobots.

As a Senior Controls Engineer, reporting to the Director of Robotics, you will be responsible for developing amazing new features (from classic motion control all the way to artificial-intelligence-driven features) and troubleshooting the welding robots integrated with our welding intelligence package (known as NovEye). You are a critical link in the team and your creativity and knowledge will enable the continued success of our robots!

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design and develop PLC-based software programs specific to customer and project requirements

• Debug and commission control systems at our facility, during the system integration stage and then at the customer’s site during installation.

• Travel as required to customer and supplier sites to perform installation, commissioning and training duties

• Select, test and integrate hardware and software components such as robots, analog devices, motion controllers, sensors, vision systems and lasers

• Work with other members of the control systems team and other groups to continuously improve methods of integrating controls technology, with the goals being improved safety, enhanced functionality and reduced cost

• Work with customers, project managers, designers, welders and electricians to solve problems in order to provide the customer with a complete, functional automation system

• Provide thorough testing of machine functionality to verify software program completeness

• Provide remote support for robot installation and work with installation manager to ensure complete commissioning of the robot in the field

• Provide accurate documentation for each project and notify relevant team members (welding, sales, etc.) when a feature is rolled out

• Get to the root of one-time and repeating Customer Service issues and implement long-term, sustainable solutions.

• Improve department processes and procedures, and supporting documentation.

• Proactively identify and resolve potential Customer Service issues before they become problems.

• Other responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience with managing a small team or willingness to do so

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering

• Minimum 5-8 years experience with PLC programming and servo controls

• Minimum 2 years experience with HMI software, tags, addresses

• Minimum 2 years experience with motion control, servos, VFDs, and robotics applications

• Experience with different communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Devicenet, etc.

• Experience in hands-on wiring of electrical panels

• Familiarity with DC circuit design and wiring

• Algorithmic thinking and ability to devise and implement control techniques inside PLC

• Strategic, critical thinking and analytical skills for structured problem-solving rather than band-aid fixes.

• Strong knowledge of control theory, feedback control, data filtering, and different control strategies such as PID, and MPC

• Experience with industrial robots such as ABB and Yaskawa

• Experience with troubleshooting and point-to-point testing electrical systems

• Strong communication and documentation skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Registration as an EIT or PEng through EGBC is preferred but not required

• Strategic, critical thinking, and analytical skills for structured problem-solving rather than band-aid fixes.

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Robot Operating Systems (ROS) and/or other robotics middleware frameworks

• Familiarity with welding

• Expertise with safety PLCs, safety standards, and risk assessment

Schedule:

• Core hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm (PST)

• Flexibility to work outside of 8-5 when needed to support remote installs in North America or outside North America in other time zones

Why Novarc:

• 'A' Players: Our team is made up of talented, intelligent, and hardworking people. If you are an 'A' player, you will enjoy the intellectually stimulating, challenging, and respectfully competitive atmosphere.

• Growing Quickly: There are so many opportunities for Novarcians to try on a multitude of hats and, with time, define their own role.

• We care about your growth: Each Novarcian has an annual personal development budget to build new skills or further develop current knowledge. 

• Ownership opportunities: Depending on position, performance, and longevity, Novarcians are awarded options in the company.

We are excited to invite you to join our growing team for this amazing journey!

"Novarc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, color, political belief, marital or family status, religion, special abilities, age, sex or sexual orientation, or a criminal conviction or charge that is unrelated to employment of to the intended employment of that person. This applies to all our practices of recruitment, selection, promotion, training and development, health and safety, and compensation."