Controls & Automation Engineer (PLC/SCADA)

About the Company

General Matter is enriching uranium in America.

Our mission is to restore our country’s ability to make nuclear fuel. Our fuel will help power AI, manufacturing, and other critical industries. It will power our next generation of reactors. Ultimately, it will power our national ambitions.

We were incubated by Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and we are backed by top tier investors. 

Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production.

We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability and transparency.

Electrical Engineer - Instrumentation & Controls

As a Controls & Automation Engineer (PLC / SCADA), you will design, implement, commission, and maintain industrial control systems supporting advanced prototypes, test stands, and facility systems. This role is focused on PLC programming, SCADA development, and hands-on commissioning, with scope and responsibility determined by experience level. You will work closely with electrical, mechanical, and process engineers to bring systems online, support ongoing experimentation, and add features and improvements as systems evolve.

This is an execution-oriented role for engineers who enjoy working close to hardware, debugging live systems, and iterating quickly in R&D and industrial environments. 

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and maintain PLC control logic for industrial automation systems.
• Design and implement SCADA applications for monitoring, control, and diagnostics.
• Commission and support control systems for:
  
  • R&D prototypes
  • Test stands and experimental systems
  • Pilot and facility-scale automation systems
• Participate directly in controls commissioning and bring-up, including:
  
  • I/O checkout
  • Loop checks
  • Interlock validation
  • Debugging hardware and software issues in the field
• Support ongoing operation, maintenance, and feature development for existing test stands and automation systems.
• Collaborate with electrical engineers on control panels, I/O architecture, and instrumentation integration.
• Work closely with mechanical and process engineers during commissioning and system integration.
• Develop and maintain clear documentation for control logic and SCADA configurations.
• Support testing, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement across R&D and facility deployments.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience with PLC-based control systems.
• Experience with SCADA systems.
  • Ability to work in a hands-on environment and participate directly in system commissioning and debugging.
• Ability to perform trade studies, reason from first principles, and make sound engineering decisions with incomplete information. 
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration. 
• Evidence of exceptional ability (prior projects, portfolio of work, completed products, etc).

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience programming PLCs using IEC 61131-3 industrial control languages (e.g., Structured Text, Function Block Diagram, Instruction List, Sequential Function Chart).
• Experience developing SCADA applications for industrial or process systems.
• Experience commissioning industrial automation systems, including I/O checkout and loop validation.
• Familiarity with industrial communications and networking protocols such as EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, CAN bus, Modbus (TCP/RTU), etc. 
• Experience integrating PLCs with:
  • Instrumentation and sensors
  • VFDs, drives, and motion systems
  • Industrial networks and managed switches
• Experience in industrial automation, chemical plants, process industries, or similar environments.
• Experience supporting safety and critical systems, including: 
  • Interlocks and permissives
  • Safety PLCs
  • E-stop systems
  • SIL-rated safety systems and function safety practices (ex. IEC 61511/IEC 61508)

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this role is $85,000–$175,000 annually. 

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.