Join us on the journey to help build the world using applied robotics and AI!

Novarc Technologies is a full-stack robotics company helping to build the world using applied robotics and AI. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas by the Financial Times for two consecutive years, we are at the epicenter of innovation and global expansion. Join our dynamic team as we extend our reach across four continents, blending pioneering welding technology with a profound global impact. It's a captivating time to be part of our journey – here, you'll do more than just work; you'll be an integral part of a movement shaping the tech-driven future.

Novarc Technologies is looking for a motivated Controls Engineer to join our growing team and support the production of our cobots.

Summary: As a Controls Engineer within our Robotics Team, you will be instrumental in the design, development, and deployment of cutting-edge features and products for our advanced welding cobots. This is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled Controls Engineer with a strong foundation in automation to contribute directly to the evolution of our robotic systems from concept to customer site.

Work Environment: On-site

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and optimize robust PLC-based software programs tailored to meet diverse customer and project requirements.

• Innovate with the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) team to significantly improve robot functionality, user experience, and intuitive operation.

• Lead the debugging and commissioning of complex control systems, both during in-house system integration and on-site at customer facilities.

• Travel as required to customer and supplier sites to oversee installation, commissioning, and provide comprehensive training to end-users.

• Select, test, and seamlessly integrate a wide array of hardware and software components, including industrial robots, analog devices, motion controllers, sensors, vision systems, and laser technologies.

• Collaborate closely with the control systems team and other engineering groups to continuously enhance controls technology integration methods, aiming for improved safety, enhanced functionality, and reduced costs.

• Work directly with machine learning engineers, project managers, software engineers, welders, and hardware engineers to resolve technical challenges and deliver complete, fully functional automation solutions.

• Conduct thorough testing of machine functionality to ensure software program completeness, reliability, and performance.

• Provide expert remote support during robot installations and partner with installation managers to ensure successful commissioning in the field.

• Create precise and comprehensive project documentation. Effectively communicate new feature rollouts and updates to relevant internal teams.

• Investigate and resolve the root causes of one-time and recurring customer service issues, implementing sustainable, long-term solutions. Contribute to the continuous improvement of departmental processes, procedures, and supporting documentation.

• Identify and address potential customer service issues proactively, preventing them from escalating into significant problems.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Controls, Electrical or Computer Engineering.

• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on experience with PLC programming and servo control systems.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience with HMI software, including tag management and addressing.

• Strong familiarity with motion control principles, servo drives, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), and their application in robotics.

• Proven experience with various industrial communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Devicenet).

• Hands-on experience with electrical panel wiring, and familiarity with power distribution circuits, cable/fuse selection, and DC circuit design.

• Exceptional algorithmic thinking and the ability to devise and implement advanced control techniques within PLC environments. Deep understanding of control theory, feedback control, data filtering, and various control strategies (e.g., PID, Model Predictive Control - MPC).

• Practical experience working with industrial robots.

• Demonstrated experience in troubleshooting and point-to-point testing of complex electrical systems.

• Strategic, critical thinking, and analytical skills with a focus on structured problem-solving and implementing sustainable solutions.

• Excellent communication, technical documentation, organizational, and time management skills.

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PEng) through Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia (EGBC) preferred.

Nice to have:

• Expertise with safety PLCs, industrial safety standards, and risk assessment methodologies.

• Competency in C/C++ and/or Python programming, particularly in a Linux environment.

• Robotics Frameworks: Familiarity with ROS/ROS2.

• Experience with 6 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) robots.

Note: A requirement of the screening interview includes successfully completing an online PLC programming test.

About Novarc Technologies:

Novarc Technologies is a full-stack robotics company specializing in the design and manufacturing of cobots and AI-based machine vision solutions for autonomous welding. Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first of its kind in pipe welding applications. As a proven pioneer in the field, Novarc’s team is dedicated to solving challenging welding automation problems that improve customers’ bottom line.

Why Novarc:

• Growing Opportunities - We are in the process of maturing into a fast-growing medium-sized business.

• Great place to be - We have created a fun, adventurous, and open-minded environment where our teams are encouraged to bond and expose a little weirdness.

• Best People - Our team is made up of talented, intelligent, and hardworking people.

• Lots of Opportunities - We are constantly looking for stand-out talent internally to move into leadership positions.

We are excited to invite you to join our growing team for this amazing journey!

"Novarc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, national or ethnic origin, color, political belief, marital or family status, religion, special abilities, age, sex or sexual orientation, or a criminal conviction or charge that is unrelated to employment of to the intended employment of that person. This applies to all our practices of recruitment, selection, promotion, training and development, health and safety, and compensation."