Forward Deployed Controls Engineer (Engineer / Senior)
Remote (Southeast U.S. preferred) · 50% travel
Summary
The Forward Deployed Controls Engineer commissions, tunes, and ramps Deterrence’s automated manufacturing equipment at production sites across our deployed footprint. This is a hands-on field execution role. You will be on site bringing equipment from installation through I/O checkout, SAT, and production ramp. You’ll adapt, debug, and optimize PLC, HMI/SCADA, robot, and safety code in the field, and you’ll feed lessons learned back to the core controls engineering team. Primary platforms are Siemens TIA Portal, Ignition SCADA, and FANUC robotics. The role is remote-based and requires 50% travel, often in multi-week deployments. We are hiring multiple engineers across levels, and scope and independence scale with level.
Key Responsibilities
•Lead on-site installation support, I/O checkout, system bring-up, and SAT for automated production equipment.
•Ramp equipment to target throughput, uptime, and quality by tuning cycle times, motion, and process parameters.
•Modify, debug, and optimize existing Siemens PLC programs in ST (SCL), LAD, FBD, and SFC, and maintain all field changes under revision control.
•Adjust and extend Ignition HMI/SCADA screens, alarming, and faceplates to support operations and site-specific needs.
•Commission and tune servos, VFDs, vision systems, sensors, and safety devices (ProfiSafe, fail-safe I/O).
•Validate safety functions in the field against the design intent and applicable standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508, ISO 10218).
•Integrate, touch up, and validate FANUC robot cells with PLC and safety controllers.
•Bring up and troubleshoot Profinet, OPC UA, Modbus TCP, and Ethernet/IP device networks.
•Troubleshoot controls, network, and electromechanical faults to root cause on a live production floor.
•Train site operators, technicians, and maintenance staff, and produce clear handoff documentation.
•Capture field issues, punch lists, and design improvement recommendations, and feed them back to the core engineering team.
Qualifications
•Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related engineering field, or equivalent experience.
•Engineer: 2+ years · Senior: 5+ years in industrial controls, with significant field commissioning on production equipment.
•Hands-on proficiency with Siemens TIA Portal, plus experience with Ignition or comparable SCADA.
•Demonstrated experience commissioning and ramping equipment on a live production floor.
•Working knowledge of machine safety standards and safety-rated motion.
•Ability to read and troubleshoot from electrical schematics and panel drawings.
•Revision control experience (GitHub, Siemens Project Server, or similar).
•Ability and willingness to travel 50%, including extended on-site deployments and occasional off-hours or weekend support during ramp.
•Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel domestically.
•Strong communication skills and comfort working directly with customer and site teams under schedule pressure.
Level Expectations
Senior additionally runs commissioning for a full equipment line with minimal direction, serves as the lead controls contact for the site team, and mentors Engineer-level teammates.
Preferred Skills
•FANUC robot programming (TP/KAREL) or FANUC certification.
•Ignition Core Certification or higher.
•ROBOGUIDE or other virtual commissioning tools for pre-deployment testing.
•Brownfield retrofit and multi-vendor integration experience.
•Industrial networking fundamentals (VLANs, managed switches, network diagnostics).
•Experience ramping equipment against OEE, throughput, or yield targets.
•Prior forward deployed, field service, or startup engineering experience.
Export Control. This position may require access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined in 22 CFR 120.62 (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual) or be eligible to obtain any required authorization.
Equal Opportunity. Deterrence Defense, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities; if you need an accommodation at any point in the process, contact jobs@deterrence.com.