Controls Engineer III

Who we are:  

Electra is reinventing ironmaking from the ground up with a breakthrough electrochemical technology that produces high purity clean iron and critical co-minerals. With two operating pilots in Boulder and a new demonstration facility underway in Jefferson County, we’re on track to reach commercial scale by the end of the decade. Backed by over $300 million and strategic partnerships with global leaders across mining, steel, and big tech, momentum is on our side.  Recognized by Fast Company as a Most Innovative Company and a Next Big Thing in Tech, and named one of TIME’s 100 Climate Leaders, we’re building a company shaping the future of industry. If you’re looking to make an impact and join a team that’s driven, focused, and scaling, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:  

As a Controls Engineer III, you will focus on designing and building data acquisition and process control systems for chemical processing. These systems will integrate instrumentation, controls, plumbing, fluid power, and solids handling to enable novel electromechanical and metallurgical processes for clean iron production.     

Responsibilities include:

• Design, develop, and maintain electrical, instrumentation, and control (EIC) systems for iron-production processes from concept through detailed design, fabrication, commissioning, and handover 
• Owns programming and troubleshooting Siemens S7 PLCs (TIA Portal), Ignition HMI & SCADA, and associated communication networks   
• Work on the full lifecycle of control system design, including P&IDs, I/O lists, control narratives, instrumentation specifications, electrical schematics, panel layouts, and network architectures  
• Ensure all control systems are efficient, reliable, safe, compliant with applicable codes/standards (e.g., NEC / NFPA, ISA, IEC), and aligned with site EHS requirements 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with process engineering, mechanical systems, operations, and R&D teams to define system requirements and control strategies   
• Work on integration efforts for new and existing equipment, including PLC/HMI/SCADA system architecture and control strategies   
• Lead and execute the installation, configuration, commissioning, and site acceptance testing (SAT) of control systems
• Conduct system testing, tuning, loop checks, and validation to ensure optimal and stable process performance 
• Develop, maintain, and review electrical design packages in SolidWorks Electrical, including control panel designs, wiring diagrams, and bill of materials   
• Read, understand, and comply with all workplace health and safety policies, safe work practices, and company policies and procedures  
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor in a rapidly evolving startup environment  

What we need you to bring to the team:   

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, control systems engineering, automation engineering, or related  
• 5+ years of industry experience working on controls and data acquisition (excludes internships, co-ops, and other school projects) 
• Exhibits high-level programming proficiency in one or more languages (C/C++, C#, Python, JavaScript, or equivalent), developing, modifying, and troubleshooting software solutions to address complex control, analytics, or automation challenges  
• Demonstrates advanced, hands-on experience with industrial instrumentation, including voltage, amperage, temperature, pressure, level, weight, and flow measurement systems; independently evaluates instrumentation performance and resolves complex measurement and integration issues
• Applies proven proficiency with industrial automation communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, RS‑485), selecting and adapting protocols to meet system integration, reliability, and performance requirements across diverse applications
• Demonstrates proficient knowledge of industrial control system (ICS) design principles, including instrumentation specification, P&IDs, and relevant ISA/IEC standards 
• Demonstrates the ability to independently implement industrial electrical safety programs—including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), arc‑flash boundaries, and electrical safe‑work practices—and to assess risks in unusual or nonroutine situations while recommending corrective actions to maintain regulatory and operational compliance