Controls Engineer (Bilingual Mandarin)

The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew, and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs. And we need you to direct our field operations to help us become a leader in this new burgeoning sector in the renewable energy industry.

About the role

The Controls and Automation Engineer will be responsible for supporting, optimizing, and enhancing the automation systems within our solar panel recycling facility. This role requires fluency in both Mandarin and English to effectively communicate with our original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in China. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in controls and automation, with experience in ladder logic, safety interlocks, and logging, as well as proficiency in Siemens PLC coding. Additionally, the candidate should be a strong project manager, capable of handling complex projects and using project management tools like Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Automation and Controls: Develop, implement, and optimize automation systems for mechanical machinery used in solar panel recycling. This includes programming and troubleshooting ladder logic, safety interlocks, and logging systems.
• Technical Communication: Act as a liaison between the company and the OEMs, ensuring clear communication and understanding of technical specifications and requirements in both Mandarin and English.
• Documentation: Create detailed technical specifications for the controls schema, ensuring the Operations team can understand the basics of how the equipment works. Write and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for any programmatic changes made to the equipment.
• Project Management: Lead and manage projects related to equipment automation and optimization, utilizing project management software such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet to ensure timely and successful project completion.
• On-Site Support: Spend several weeks or months at our facility in Odessa, TX, to observe and improve the controls on the equipment, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Safety and Compliance: Ensure all automation systems meet safety standards and regulatory compliance, implementing necessary safety interlocks and protocols.

TRAVEL RESPONSIBILITIES

• This role requires travel to/from China to visit Original Equipment Manufacturers, and the SOLARCYCLE recycling facility in Odessa, TX.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Automation Engineering
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in controls and automation, with a strong focus on ladder logic programming, safety interlocks, and logging.
• Languages: Fluency in Mandarin and English is required.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Siemens PLC coding is a plus.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with experience using tech-enabled project management software such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Travel: Ability to travel between China and the United States, with required visa for both countries.
• Location: Position can be based in China or the United States, with significant travel to Odessa, TX.Creative thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop innovative solutions for adverse problems.
• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, with a proven track record of working effectively in a team environment.
• Detail-oriented with good organizational skills, capable of managing multiple projects and priorities.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in rapid communications using a mobile device and laptop. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

You don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. If you think this role is for you but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right person for this role.

You will be working alongside a highly successful team who deliver amazing innovative work in the solar PV industry! The solar industry needs a global end-of-life partner to restore, renew and ultimately recycle yesterday’s solar panels for tomorrow’s clean energy projects. SOLARCYCLE aims to be the partner of choice for solar asset owners looking for a responsible solution to their end-of-life system needs.

Solar power is one of the most powerful tools humanity has in our fight against climate change. But for solar to truly scale to its full potential, we need to create renewable supply chains and a vibrant secondary market for upcycled panels and recycled materials. Since its launch in 2022, SOLARCYCLE has assembled a world-class management team with experience scaling companies and organizations such as Amazon, Nextracker, Sierra Club, Solaria, and SunPower. The company has secured high-volume contracts with industry leaders such as AES, EDF Renewables North America, EDP Renewables North America, Greenbacker, Ørsted, Qcells, Silfab, Silicon Ranch, and Sunrun. This is the next frontier – ensuring a cleaner, more sustainable and domestic supply of the critical minerals needed for the next wave of solar. We exist to make clean energy massively scalable and even more sustainable by radically advancing recycling technology and infrastructure for the solar industry. If this resonates with you, we really want to meet you.