About Redwood Materials
Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, co-founder and former CTO of Tesla, on a simple but radical idea: the critical minerals powering the energy transition already exist. They just need to come back. Today Redwood is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America — recovering, refining, and redeploying critical minerals from end-of-life batteries back into the supply chain. On the energy side, Redwood has deployed the largest second-life battery project in the world, delivering power to AI data centers in months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it operates in is projected to grow 20 to 50 times over the next decade, and Redwood is the only company with the supply chain, the technology, and the operational scale to lead it.
Staff Controls Engineer
We are seeking an experienced Staff Controls Engineer who is passionate about pushing beyond the cutting edge of the industry to design, build, and debug best-in-class controls systems for Redwood’s battery recycling operations. This engineer will play a critical role in designing, commissioning, scaling, and supporting all of Redwood’s recycling facilities working at the intersection of chemical process engineering, industrial automation, and software development.
Responsibilities will include:
- Designing and implementing real‑time control software in C++ for embedded and industrial systems
- Developing automation tools, diagnostics, and orchestration scripts in Python
- Writing, optimizing, and troubleshooting Structured Text (IEC 61131‑3) for PLCs and industrial controllers
- Building deterministic control loops, state machines, and safety‑critical routines
- Integrating software with sensors, actuators, drives, and industrial communication networks
- Debugging complex issues involving timing, concurrency, hardware interfaces, and industrial protocols
- Leading system architecture decisions for control platforms and distributed automation systems
- Conducting root‑cause analysis for field issues and implementing long‑term fixes
- Collaborating with controls, electrical, and product teams to translate requirements into robust software designs
- Mentoring engineers in real‑time programming, PLC development, and industrial best practices
Qualifications:
- Strong proficiency in modern C++ for real‑time or embedded systems
- Solid experience with Python for automation, tooling, or data processing
- Hands‑on experience writing Structured Text for PLCs or industrial controllers
- Deep understanding of deterministic execution, concurrency, and hardware‑software interaction
- Experience with industrial protocols such as Modbus, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, or PROFINET
- Proven ability to lead complex engineering efforts while contributing significant hands‑on code
- Strong debugging skills across software, hardware, and network layers
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with motion control, robotics, or process automation
- Familiarity with embedded Linux, RTOS environments, or microcontroller development
- Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity standards or best practices
- Experience with simulation tools, digital twins, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing
- Background integrating C++ runtimes with PLC or SCADA systems
The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
- 10+ years of experience in industrial controls or automation engineering
- Hands-on experience programming PLCs and HMIs
- Familiarity with SCADA/DCS systems
- Strong understanding of industrial sensors and advanced control algorithms
- Experience supporting system commissioning in production environments
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Passion for engineering and creativity
Redwood Materials Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Redwood Materials and has not been reviewed or approved by Redwood Materials.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered okay to good overall, often competitive for engineering and corporate roles while closer to local norms in hourly operations.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Stock options or equity are included in many offers, providing additional upside beyond base pay.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental leave is viewed positively, with maternity and paternity leave standing out within the package.
Redwood Materials Insights
What We Do
Redwood is developing a fully closed-loop, domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. Our team manufactures critical battery components using as many recycled batteries as possible — localizing a 50,000-mile global supply battery chain on a single site.
