Senior Controls Engineer

Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on human progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the bedrock of the global supply chain.

Who We Are

Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.

Modern life, from smartphones to skyscrapers, starts as ore in the ground. But mines do not simply appear. Valuable ore is rare, so in advance, Geologists must explore, observe, test, and survey - a process that takes significant time and resources. Building a mine today is a billion dollar endeavor, so precise data is key. This is done by drilling hundreds of holes into the earth to recover cylindrical core samples in the search for valuable material.

Despite being a $12B industry, exploration drilling technology has hardly changed in over 70 years. Our mission is to change that. The first step is the development and mass-production of drilling rigs with automated controls and real-time data streams to increase safety, accuracy, and efficiency. That is just the beginning. Learn more

Automating the Rig

As a Senior Controls Engineer at Durin you will be directly responsible for designing and deploying the core control systems that power next-generation drilling rigs. You will automate drilling operations, integrate sensors and actuators for real-time data, and ensure the rigs run safely and reliably in the field.

Note: You don't need mining or drilling experience to excel in this role.

Responsibilities

• Design, simulate, and implement PLC-based control architectures for autonomous drilling and related processes (material handling, core sample retrieval, etc.)

• Select and integrate sensors (pressure, force, temperature, position) and actuators for real-time data acquisition and precise motion control in rugged field conditions

• Implement fail-safe electrical circuits and safety-rated software to protect operators, equipment, and surrounding environment

• Create intuitive HMI screens and SCADA systems to simplify monitoring, diagnostics, and control of complex machinery

• Work closely with mechanical, robotics, and software teams to align control solutions with overall rig design and manufacturing goals

• Rapidly prototype, troubleshoot, and validate control solutions in both lab and harsh field environments

Qualifications

• Experience designing, programming, and commissioning industrial automation systems (PLC, servo drives, robotics)

• In-depth knowledge of at least one major PLC platform (e.g., Beckhoff TwinCAT, Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and familiarity with structured text, ladder logic, or state-machine programming

• Experience integrating servo controllers, VFDs, safety PLCs, and fail-safe circuits (working knowledge of industrial robots such as KUKA, ABB, or Fanuc is a plus)

• Practical understanding of fieldbus networks (EtherCAT, Profinet, Ethernet/IP) and networking concepts for distributed I/O and real-time data flows

• Familiarity with industrial standards (NEC, NFPA, UL508A) for electrical panel design, component sizing, and installation in potentially hazardous environments

• Experience with field testing and working in rugged environments

In this role, you will

• Own a product vertical with the opportunity to build a team around yourself over time

• Work directly with our internal and external customers to drive our roadmap

• Get to build alongside the best engineers and mining operators in the world

• Be given autonomy and virtually unlimited room to grow

• Travel all over the world

This might be a good fit if you

• Have a bias to action, take pride in your work, and care more about getting to the right solution than being right

• Have led critical projects or initiatives

• Have extensive experience shipping modern, full-stack hardware

• Are product-minded and user-driven

• Are excited to work in a fast-paced environment with high stakes and quick iteration cycles

• Are a previous or future founder — if you leave Durin to start a company, we'll do everything to support you, including investing in you and introducing you to Durin's investors

• Can work from our Los Angeles headquarters (El Segundo)

Compensation

This role will pay $150,000–$180,000. Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You’ll have the freedom and resources you need to excel. We're building something big together and will ensure you're taken care of every step of the way, financially and otherwise.

We offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are covered when you’re at headquarters, and we can help provide housing close to the office. In addition, the headquarters is equipped with two bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a high-end shower.

You will be given generous equity.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work from our headquarters in El Segundo

• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed

Join Durin to build the future of mining. If you're passionate about making a real-world impact and solving complex challenges, we'd love to hear from you.