About the role
Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on civilization's progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the foundation of the global supply chain.
We're looking for a Senior Controls Engineer who wants to own the brains of our next-generation drill rigs, building the PLC logic that makes heavy equipment safe, reliable, and ready for autonomy.
Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Architect and program PLC logic for drill cycle sequencing, safety interlocks, mud mixing, spindle/feed coordination, and rod handling.
- Implement state machines, PID loops, and interlock matrices in IEC 61131-3 languages (Structured Text, Ladder, FBD).
- Commission control systems on physical rigs: wiring checkout, I/O validation, drive tuning, field debugging.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to define sensor/actuator requirements and ensure reliable integration.
- Design alarm handling, recovery routines, and HMI interfaces for drillers.
- Ensure compliance with industrial safety standards (STO, SIL, lockout/tagout), implemented with Siemens Safety Integrated and PROFIsafe.
- Support networking and fieldbus integration (PROFINET, PROFIsafe, CANopen, OPC UA).
- Mentor embedded/software teammates on PLC fundamentals and best practices.
- Travel to test sites for commissioning and field support (~20–50%).
WHO YOU ARE
- 5+ years of experience programming and commissioning industrial PLCs, with hands-on Siemens experience (TIA Portal, S7-1500, or equivalent).
- Deep familiarity with IEC 61131-3 languages, especially Structured Text (SCL) and Ladder (LAD).
- Hands-on experience commissioning machinery with hydraulics, servos, and safety interlocks.
- Strong knowledge of fieldbuses (PROFINET, PROFIBUS, CAN, Modbus) and industrial networking.
- Experience tuning closed-loop systems (PID, torque/force control), ideally on Siemens drives (SINAMICS or similar).
- Comfort working in rugged field environments with heavy equipment.
- Strong debugging instincts and ability to rapidly troubleshoot I/O, sensors, and motion issues.
- "Get it working, get it safe, then get it elegant" mindset.
Bonus Points For
- Experience with drilling rigs, mining equipment, robotics, or other heavy machinery.
- Knowledge of Siemens fail-safe PLCs (F-CPUs, PROFIsafe), SIL/PL standards, and functional safety certification.
- Background in both PLC controls + embedded/robotics software.
- Prior work on automation systems that integrate with edge/cloud telemetry.
$150,000 - $180,000 a year
COMPENSATION
This role will pay $150,000–$180,000, plus equity, so you have a real stake in Durin's success. Everyone is an owner, so as the company grows, your equity grows too.
Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You'll have the freedom and resources to try new things and iterate quickly. We're a high-growth company without middle management, which means fast decision making and the ability for you to own major initiatives from day one.
We also offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are paid for when you're at headquarters, and we can help you find housing nearby.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be willing to work from our headquarters in El Segundo
- Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed