Instrumentation and Controls Design Engineer

OVERVIEW 

American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) provides technical development and commercialization of domestic, sustainable sourcing of critical battery materials through lithium-ion battery recycling and battery metal extraction technologies for use in batteries that power electric cars, grid storage applications, and consumer electronics and tools. Our first of kind systems produce commercial-scale battery materials that will be sold into the battery manufacturing supply chain to enact a low-cost, low environmental impact, and domestically sourced closed-loop circular economy.  Our headquarters is in downtown Reno, Nevada with site locations in the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center and Tonopah, Nevada.   

ABOUT THE JOB  

As our I&C Design Engineer, you will design and implement best-in-class control systems for the chemical process systems of our proprietary lithium-ion battery recycling facility and primary resource extraction technologies. This candidate will collaborate with our R&D team, plant operations team, and various internal and external experts to ensure the successful design, construction, and operations of our facilities. The ideal candidate will be familiar with the research & development, design, installation, commissioning, and operations of first-of-kind facilities. They should be passionate about designing, implementing, and maintaining efficient automation systems for chemical manufacturing processes, ensuring quality control of outputs, specifying equipment, crafting and deploying monitoring protocols.  The candidate will be a problem-solver and have a keen interest in scaling processes proven at the bench-scale up to pilot- or pre-commercial scales.  This should include a constant focus on evaluating current processing steps and proposing and developing next-generation solutions to continuously improve system performance and operability. This position will report to our Automation Engineering Lead.  

• Design & Documentation: 
• Own the end-to-end design of instrumentation and control systems for state-of-the-art battery recycling and metal extraction processes. 
• Produce detailed instrument lists, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, and layout drawings 

• Conceptual & Equipment Input: 
• Collaborate closely with equipment vendors and internal teams during the conceptual design phase, ensuring that equipment choices align with product quality, process control, cost targets, and operational timelines. 
• Challenge and refine equipment designs, balancing technical specifications with practical installation and operational constraints. 

• Procurement & Specification Development: 
• Craft precise, unambiguous specifications for the procurement of low voltage controls and instrumentation essential for mechanical, chemical, and process systems. 
• Ensure all procured equipment fits within the overarching design framework and operational requirements. 

• Project Coordination & Execution: 
• Drive integration efforts during design, construction, commissioning, and startup phases, ensuring all components of process automation are seamlessly executed. 
• Maintain design integrity during installation and startup—identifying potential pitfalls early and steering cross-functional teams toward rapid, safe implementations. 

• Maintenance & Continuous Improvement: 
• Develop and/or support robust calibration and maintenance programs to ensure the consistent performance and reliability of control systems. 
• Work closely with operations and R&D teams to provide technical feedback, develop rigorous test plans, and implement continuous process improvements. 

• Systems & Software Support: 
• Consult in PLC and SCADA system development throughout the project lifecycle, from initial programming to final commissioning. 
• Develop clear sequences of operations and control narratives that translate engineering intent into robust, reproducible performance on the plant floor. 

• Risk Management & Safety Analysis: 
• Take part in rigorous hazard analyses and FEMAs, ensuring that every control strategy accounts for safety, reliability, and operational risk mitigation. 
• Evaluate and challenge designs—both internal and external—to uphold the highest safety standards. 

• Contract & External Resource Management: 
• Oversee and guide contract resources, holding them to the same high standards expected of internal teams. 
• Provide expert feedback on designs executed by external firms, ensuring alignment with project goals and technical requirements. 

• Minimum Required Qualifications:
• Background in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or equivalent industry experience in Instrumentation and Controls 
• 5 years of engineering/design experience focusing on industrial automation systems 
• Exposure to a variety of instrument manufacturers and technologies 
• Able to interpret and produce Process Flow Diagrams (PFD) and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) 
• Chemical processing background (Oil, Gas & Chemicals, Metals & Mining, Mineral Processing, etc.) 
• Ability to positively collaborate in a team environment 

• Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience with Autodesk CAD programs (Plant3D, Revit) 
• Experience with database systems (MSSQL, MySQL, PostcreSQL) 
• Exposure to a variety of automation hardware (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Wago) 
• Exposure to Inductive Automation Ignition 
• Exposure to Codesys 
• Experience working hands-on in a manufacturing or chemical facility 

Location

Onsite – Reno, NV   

Job Type  

Full-Time Exempt  

What We Offer:

- Competitive salary   

- Company-sponsored health, dental, vision, and life insurance 

- Company-sponsored Employee Assistance Program  

- Stock options 

- 401(K) 

- Flexible paid time off 

- Monthly phone stipend 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

American Battery Technology Company is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  

Americans With Disabilities Act 

American Battery Technology Company does not discriminate based upon disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with the ADA title I employment regulations. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability or a special need, please contact Human Resources.