As a Controls Engineer PLC Programming, you will be participating in the research, development and deployment of AI enabled robot cells for material handling and logistics applications. You will collaborate with Operations, Software, and Machine Learning teams to research, design, integrate, test and deploy new robotic hardware including: robot cell designs, end effectors, cameras, lighting, HW control devices (PLCs, I/O couplers, sensors, etc), pneumatics, actuators, custom mechanisms.
We value candidates who are passionate about what they build, feel a strong sense of ownership over their work, are driven to succeed and appreciate a harmonious work environment.
Programming & Deployment: Developing, testing, and deploying robust PLC code for ML-enabled robotic automation systems across multiple concurrent projects.
System Integration: Integrating PLCs with off-the-shelf control devices (I/O couplers, sensors, safety controllers, etc.) and our proprietary machine-learning software.
Collaboration: Working alongside and managing integration partners to co-develop, commission, and deploy robotic cells.
Documentation: Writing detailed technical specifications and documentation for control logic and software architecture.
HMI Development: Designing, developing, and deploying intuitive Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) to provide operators with seamless control, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities for the robotic workcells.
Safety Implementation: Programming and validating safety logic and safety PLCs to ensure the robotic workcells meet all industrial machine safety standards and fail-safe requirements.
Testing & Commissioning: Debugging and characterizing PLC programs for complex electromechanical.
Troubleshooting: Supporting internal engineering teams by diagnosing control systems to ensure equipment is operational for both development and live demos.
Must be able to travel 20-30% of the time and/or as needed during installation and deployment of new projects
3+ years of professional experience in PLC programming and industrial automation.
Multi-Project Management: Proven ability to manage controls programming across several projects simultaneously while effectively balancing competing priorities.
PLC Expertise: Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with major PLC platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, PLCNext, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar).
Hardware Integration: Experience specifying and integrating off-the-shelf controls hardware for cell control logic.
Scripting: Software/Scripting skills (Python, C++, etc.) to help interface industrial controls with high-level PC-based software.
Motion Control: Familiarity with motion control components such as motors, encoders, linear actuators, pneumatics, and sensors.
Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication with an emphasis on teamwork and organizational skills.
Drive: A strong work ethic and a willingness to learn in a small, team-based environment.
Agility: Experience (or enthusiasm for) working in a fast-paced, startup environment.
Logistics: Ability to work from the San Francisco office 4-5 days a week.
Travel: Willingness to travel (limited) for commissioning and deployment.
Authorization: Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required, OSARO will not provide H1B visa
Electrical Experience: Experience with electrical system design, including electrical schematics, panel/cabinet design, and wiring.
Pneumatics: Experience with the detailed design of pneumatic systems.
Robotics: Experience programming articulated Industrial Robots (Fanuc, Kuka, Yaskawa, etc.).
Machine Vision: Experience with 2D & 3D Vision systems (Cognex, Datalogic, Keyence, Sick, Custom, etc.).
More About OSARO
OSARO is a San Francisco-based startup company building machine learning software for industrial automation, to power robots in logistics and material handling centers. Our vision is to develop a solution that enables industrial robots to perform diverse tasks in a wide range of environments. We are excited and driven to see the results of our efforts operating in the fast-growing field of autonomous material handling. We implement state-of-the-art techniques but constantly strive to build the simplest possible solution. OSARO is technique agnostic and always focused on the goal. We regularly review academic literature for novel strategies while steering clear of the hype. We’re focused on delighting our customers with systems that work like magic.
Our markets are global. That’s why OSARO employs a diverse team of experts in various fields from more than 15 countries, attracting talent from both innovative companies and the research labs of top-ranked engineering universities. We are naturally curious, love healthy debate, and respect varying points of view. At OSARO, we strive to be champions for equality. We believe we can serve as a model for diversity in the tech industry by emphasizing policies of nondiscrimination and inclusion at every step.
We are an equal opportunity employer who offers
Health, dental, vision, and commuter benefits
Generous, flexible vacation time
Excellent paid parental leave policy with the option for additional reduced and unpaid leave
The chance to work with robots!
The above full-time position is available immediately.

OSARO delivers best-in-class robotic piece-picking solutions for e-commerce where key challenges include high SKU inventories, complex packaging, and fragile items. In the rapidly evolving world of logistics technology, OSARO offers smarter automation, low-risk business plans, and its signature Hypercare support from exploration to installation. OSARO’s intelligent robots enable goods-to-robot (G2R) use cases, where the greatest gains are yet to be made on the automated warehouse floor. Its AI-driven, machine-learning vision and control software provides the foundation for all its products.
OSARO employs a diverse & talented team of experts in the specialized field of machine and deep learning. Our core values are integrity, responsibility, focus on continuous learning, speed and determination, and kirei, a Japanese term meaning brilliant. Our team is dedicated to building these core values into our products.