Hi, my name is

Erick Alcantar.

I build and optimize industrial machines.

I'm an automation and control engineer with over a decade bringing machinery to life — from B&R retrofits to control software on Beckhoff for Tesla and Icon. I care about the impact of technology and the continuous improvement of teams and people.

View my projects

About Me

I'm an engineer with broad experience in manufacturing automation, leading teams for project execution, application development, and machinery innovation.

My path runs from automation technician to senior embedded software engineer, through field service, product specialist, and management roles. I've worked with the leading industrial control platforms and was trained directly at the B&R Bootcamp in Eggelsberg, Austria.

Here are some of the technologies I work with day to day:

  • Structured Text (IEC 61131-3)
  • B&R Automation
  • Beckhoff TwinCAT / TwinSAFE
  • Siemens & Mitsubishi
  • Motion Control & Servo
  • Safety (TwinSAFE)
  • Modbus / CANopen / Profinet
  • Git & SDLC
  • Python / ANSI C / C#
EA

Austin, TX · U.S.

Automation & Control Engineering

Experience

Sr. Embedded Software Engineer @ Icon

Sep 2024 — Present · Austin, TX

  • Lead the sustaining controls team and contribute to large-scale 3D concrete construction printers (Vulcan and Titan systems).
  • Jupiter Deployment: Built a fleet-monitoring infrastructure (ASP.NET Core) and a C# TwinCAT COM orchestrator for CI/CD deployments via GitHub Actions and Tailscale.
  • Titan Cell Development: Developed distributed soft/non-real-time equipment modules (Cells) over ZMQ using C++/Python within a proprietary in-house framework.
  • Vulcan Controls: Reduce downtime and increase reliability by optimizing the code base (Structured Text, OOP paradigm on Beckhoff).
  • Design control-system improvements, integrating new hardware (Elmo Motion Control, Acontis EC-Master) and improving the electrical systems.
  • Perform FAT, controls quality, and reliability checks; hand-over to Print Operations; remote and on-site support.

Featured Projects

Beckhoff (TwinCAT / TwinSAFE)

Featured project

Tesla Gigafactory — Electrode Slitting

Uptime, quality, and safety improvements on the electrode slitting equipment (unwinding, slitting, and rewinding) within the Cell Manufacturing group at the Texas Gigafactory.

Tesla Texas Gigafactory · Beckhoff (TwinCAT / TwinSAFE)

  • Beckhoff
  • TwinCAT
  • TwinSAFE
  • Structured Text
  • FBD
Thumbnail of CNC Jig Welding Machine

Featured project

CNC Jig Welding Machine

Programming of a jig welding machine with CNC control for industrial production.

Domum Automation · B&R

  • B&R
  • CNC
  • Motion Control
  • Structured Text
C++, Python, ZMQ, EtherCAT

Featured project

Titan Cell Development

Development of soft/non-real-time equipment modules (Cells) for Titan, a crane-style robotic arm 3D printer for concrete construction.

Icon · C++, Python, ZMQ, EtherCAT

  • C++
  • Python
  • ZMQ
  • EtherCAT
  • Acontis
Thumbnail of Horn+Noack Blister Machine (CFR 21 Part 11)

Featured project

Horn+Noack Blister Machine (CFR 21 Part 11)

Complete solution for a Horn+Noack blister machine in the pharmaceutical industry, complying with the CFR 21 Part 11 standard.

Laboratorios Silanes · B&R

  • B&R
  • Pharma
  • CFR 21 Part 11
  • Structured Text
  • Audit Trail
Thumbnail of Blow Molding with Parison Control (PBEX)

Featured project

Blow Molding with Parison Control (PBEX)

Retrofit of a blow molding machine with a parison control system for wall-thickness control (PBEX, in Lima, Peru).

Armaloy · B&R

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Blow Molding
  • Parison Control
  • Structured Text

Other Projects

Thumbnail of Leather Splitting Machine Retrofit

Domum Automation · B&R

Leather Splitting Machine Retrofit

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Structured Text
  • Motion Control
Thumbnail of Through-Feed Machine Retrofit (Setting-Out & Sammying)

Domum Automation · B&R

Through-Feed Machine Retrofit (Setting-Out & Sammying)

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Structured Text
Thumbnail of Leather Conditioning Tunnel Retrofit

Domum Automation · B&R

Leather Conditioning Tunnel Retrofit

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Structured Text
  • Process Control
Thumbnail of Linear Bottle Labeler (Servo)

Fastline OEM · B&R

Linear Bottle Labeler (Servo)

  • B&R
  • Servo
  • Motion Control
  • Structured Text
Thumbnail of Vertical Injection Molding Machine Retrofit

Hennigues · B&R

Vertical Injection Molding Machine Retrofit

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Automotive
  • Injection Molding
Thumbnail of Meat Curing Mixer Retrofit

Qualtia Foods · B&R

Meat Curing Mixer Retrofit

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Food
  • VFD
Thumbnail of Meat Injector Machine Retrofit

Qualtia Foods · B&R

Meat Injector Machine Retrofit

  • B&R
  • Retrofit
  • Food
  • Structured Text
Thumbnail of Reciprocating Blow Molding Machine

Armaloy · B&R

Reciprocating Blow Molding Machine

  • B&R
  • Blow Molding
  • Structured Text
  • Motion Control
Thumbnail of Servo Flying Saw Cutter

Beutelspacher · B&R

Servo Flying Saw Cutter

  • B&R
  • Servo
  • Flying Saw
  • Motion Control

04. What's next?

Let's Connect

I'm always open to talking about automation, control, and new engineering challenges. The best way to reach me is through LinkedIn.

Connect on LinkedIn