Test Engineer, Controls and Instrumentation

About the Company

Panthalassa is a renewable energy and ocean technology company committed to rapidly developing and deploying technologies that will ensure a sustainable future for Earth by unlocking the vast energy potential of its oceans. Our mission is to capture civilizational levels of ultra-low-cost renewable energy for applications including computing and affordable renewable fuels delivered to shore.

We are headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and operate as a public benefit corporation backed by leading venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, and university endowments. Our team includes individuals with experience at SpaceX, Tesla, Apple, Blue Origin, the U.S. military, and leading research universities. We operate as an idea meritocracy—where the best ideas win—and we're building the most capable engineering and operations team on the planet.

About the Job

We are seeking an experienced Test Engineer, Controls and Instrumentation to design, build, and commission electrical control systems for our large-scale test facilities. This role is hands-on and requires expertise in PLC programming, control panel design, and industrial communication protocols for high-power test systems.

You will be responsible for the complete electrical controls lifecycle—from schematic design through panel fabrication, installation, and commissioning. Your work will ensure our test infrastructure operates safely, meets industrial safety standards, and provides the precision control required to advance breakthrough energy technologies.

Responsibilities

- Design electrical control panels, select components, create schematics, interconnect drawings, and oversee fabrication of test systems.

- Program and commission control systems using PLCs and safety controllers.

- Configure and deploy SCADA systems and integrate industrial control protocols.

- Design and implement Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems for test equipment.

- Develop and tune process control loops (PID and advanced algorithms).

- Design field wiring, instrumentation cabling, and communication networks.

- Select and calibrate sensors (pressure transducers, thermocouples, RTDs, strain gauges, flow meters).

- Troubleshoot electrical control systems and resolve integration issues.

- Perform basic mechanical integration of panels and enclosures.

- Ensure compliance with NEC, UL508A, and NFPA79 standards.

Required Qualifications

- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in automation, mechatronics, controls, electrical engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

- 4 - 8+ years of experience in industrial controls and instrumentation.

- Proficiency in PLC programming.

- Experience with safety controllers and functional safety system design.

- Experience with VFDs or motor control systems.

- Proven experience with high voltage and high power systems.

- Familiarity with smart sensors, device configuration, and industrial protocols (IO-Link, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, Profinet).

- Knowledge of process control loop design and PID tuning.

- Experience with control panel design and electrical schematics.

- Understanding of NEC, UL508A, and NFPA79 compliance.

- Hands-on experience with wiring, terminations, and troubleshooting.

- Experience selecting and commissioning instrumentation, metrology, and data acquisition systems.

- Strong problem-solving skills for integration challenges.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with CodeSYS, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms.

- Experience with test instrumentation and measurement systems.

- Experience with SCADA design and deployment (e.g., Ignition by Inductive Automation).

- Proficiency with IEC 61131-3 PLC languages (ladder logic, structured text, function blocks).

- Experience as a control systems integrator in industrial environments.

- HMI system design and programming experience.

- Knowledge of cybersecurity practices for industrial control networks.

- Basic mechanical skills and familiarity with 3D CAD.

- Background in power generation, renewable energy, or heavy industrial equipment.

- Experience with advanced control strategies beyond PID.

- Experience mentoring technicians or managing subcontractors.

- Experience with programming or scripting (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) and data acquisition systems.

- Knowledge of hazardous area classifications and intrinsically safe systems.

The above qualifications are desired, not required. We encourage you to apply if you are a strong candidate with only some of the desired skills and experience listed.

Additional Requirements

- Occasional extended hours or weekend work to support key milestones.

- Strong preference for candidates based in Portland, OR.

Compensation and Benefits

If hired for this full-time role, you will receive:

- Cash compensation of $130,000–$170,000.

- Equity in the company. We're all owners and if we're successful, this equity should be far and away the most valuable component of your compensation.

- A benefits package that helps you take care of yourself and your family, including:

- Flexible paid time off

- Health insurance (the company pays 100% of gold level PPO plan for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)

- Dental insurance (the company pays 33% for full time employees and 100% for their partners and dependents)

- Vision insurance (the company pays 100% for full time employees, their partners, and dependents)

- Disability insurance (the company pays 100% for a policy to provide long term financial support if you become disabled)

- Ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts, including 401(k), health FSA, and dependent care FSA

- Relocation assistance to facilitate your move to Portland (if needed).

Location

This is an onsite position. Our offices, lab and shop, are located in Portland, Oregon.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the United States. We are unable to provide new visa sponsorship for this role; however, we may consider H-1B transfer applications from exceptional candidates.