Senior Controls System Engineer

Amazon is hiring a Senior Controls System Engineer. It pays $129k-$175k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on Amazon.

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Level rates this role Little AI ●○○○: aI is not part of the work.
Level classes it as a senior role.
Amazon has 21,000+ other open roles on Level.
Posted in the last few days.

AI in this role

We are seeking Controls Systems Engineer to work on the design, programming, commissioning, and sustained operation of controls and automation systems across our manufacturing environment. This is a technical, individual-contributor role: you will architect and program PLC systems, build SCADA/HMI applications, integrate industrial robots and automation cells, and serve as the technical authority for controls integration across the MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA layers.

Working in a fast-paced manufacturing setting, you will operate with high autonomy and a strong bias for action—diving deep into PLC programming, SCADA system design, and controls architecture while ensuring daily production reliability, safety, and performance. Your scope spans pilot operations through high-volume production across diverse processes and lines. You thrive on the practical challenges of the factory floor—troubleshooting live equipment, improving cycle time and uptime, and turning a pilot line into a repeatable, high-yield production system.

Key job responsibilities
Controls Design & Development
- Design and program PLC architecture (Siemens TIA Portal and/or Rockwell Studio 5000/ControlLogix), define programming standards, and develop controls design specifications for a scalable framework spanning pilot through high-volume production.
- Enforce controls standards (hardware, software, networking); review and validate that system integrators and vendors deliver in strict compliance.
- Design, deploy, and maintain the SCADA/HMI layer (e.g., Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC), providing real-time visibility into line performance, alarms, and production data.
- Implement automation and robot integration (e.g., Fanuc, KUKA, ABB) across assembly and automation cells, ensuring standardized programming, safety compliance, and maintainability.
- Develop functional safety designs (SafetyPLC, safety-rated networks) and apply equipment safety standards for all automated systems, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and Amazon safety requirements.

MES & Systems Integration
- Implement MES integration at the controls layer, bridging MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA systems to ensure seamless data flow from the shop floor to enterprise systems.
- Partner with the Factory Software team on system architecture, data models, and integration—defining clear interface boundaries and supporting coordinated deployment.
- Build traceability, genealogy, and quality data capture at the controls layer to support analytics, yield improvement, and regulatory compliance.
- Apply standards for connectivity protocols (OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET), data historians, and reporting infrastructure that enable data-driven decision making.

Line Deployment, Commissioning & Ramp
- Own the controls engineering scope for line deployment: design review, vendor coordination, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp to high-volume production.
- Coordinate system integrator relationships: define specifications, conduct design reviews, verify adherence to controls standards, and drive issue resolution.
- Lead troubleshooting, optimization, cycle-time improvement, and reliability growth through production ramp to steady-state operations.
- Collaborate with Operations, Process Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure controls solutions meet operational and production requirements.
- Drive root cause analysis on system failures; implement countermeasures and preventive mechanisms to improve reliability and uptime (MTTR/MTBF).
- Develop commissioning playbooks, validation protocols, and startup checklists that enable repeatable, rapid line launches.

Technical Excellence & Sustained Operations
- Support 24/7 production through on-call participation and escalation, diving deep on the factory floor to restore and improve automated systems.
- Create and maintain knowledge management resources, troubleshooting databases, and continuous-improvement mechanisms for controls reliability.
- Own technical documentation for electrical and control systems.

Basic qualifications

- Experience programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
- Experience with Linux/Unix
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
- Experience with advanced automation controls systems
- Experience in a fast-paced, automated, industrial, logistics, production or manufacturing environment
- 4+ years of hands-on experience in controls engineering, industrial automation, or related disciplines.
- Experience designing and programming PLC architecture (Siemens TIA Portal and/or Rockwell Studio 5000/ControlLogix).
- Experience with SCADA/HMI system design, deployment, and management (e.g., Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC).
- Experience coordinating with system integrators and verifying vendor compliance with controls standards.
- Working knowledge of MES architecture and integration with ERP, WMS, QMS, and shop-floor systems.

Preferred qualifications

- Experience with distributed systems at scale
- 6+ years of industrial controls and automation experience
- Experience with industrial robotics
- Experience in automotive, aerospace, battery/energy, or other advanced production environments at scale
- Experience building controls standards and architecture from scratch for a new line or organization
- Knowledge of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, OPC-UA), OT cybersecurity, IT/OT convergence, data historians, and production analytics
- Experience in high-mix or evolving product environments where controls systems must adapt to frequent design changes
- Familiarity with safety system design (SafetyPLC, safety-rated networks) and compliance with relevant standards (IEC 62443, NFPA 79, ISO 13849)
- Master’s degree in Engineering
- Track record of delivering results in fast-paced, high-growth manufacturing environments with strong ownership and bias for action

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, MA, N.Reading - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, MA, Wilmington - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

How we rate this

Senior Controls System Engineer at Amazon rates 38 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Little AI (AI Level 1 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Little AI. AI is not part of the work.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.