Sr. Automation Engineer, Powertrain

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are pioneering the future of mobility by delivering unparalleled driving experiences through relentless innovation and technological excellence. Our mission is to redefine the automotive industry by integrating cutting-edge design, engineering, and sustainability into every vehicle we produce. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning models—such as the Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity—embody our “Compromise Nothing™” philosophy. This commitment ensures that performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity are never mutually exclusive. By maintaining deep vertical integration, we oversee every aspect of development, from design and engineering to production, across our global offices and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. Our diverse teams, drawn from industries worldwide, share a common dedication to pushing boundaries and shaping the future of mobility.

Role Overview

As a Senior Automation Engineer specializing in Powertrain, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that both new and existing control systems meet stringent throughput, safety, and quality standards for production. You will drive continuous improvement initiatives, optimize automation processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and reliability. Your expertise will be instrumental in designing and developing automation solutions that align with Lucid’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Develop and Optimize Control Systems: Ensure that automation systems meet production requirements for throughput, safety, and quality. Design and implement continuous improvement projects to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Collaborate on Powertrain Line Layouts: Work closely with layout engineering teams to prepare and optimize Powertrain production line layouts, ensuring seamless integration of automation technologies.
• Leverage Automation Equipment Expertise: Utilize your experience with a wide range of automation equipment, including robotics, end-of-arm tooling, pick-and-place systems, position sensors, material handling systems, fluid dispensing, vision systems, conveyors, laser cleaning, and welding systems.
• Establish Controls Standards: Develop and enforce company-level, factory-level, and line/machine-level controls standards and specifications. Ensure these standards are applied by internal development teams and external partners to maintain consistency and compliance.
• Design Data Management and Tracking Networks: Architect and implement data management and tracking communications network architectures. Interface with cross-functional teams to integrate product, process, and quality traceability controls.
• Program PLC Systems: Write, debug, and optimize PLC ladder logic with a focus on creating organized, structured, documented, maintainable, and reusable code. Ensure seamless interaction with subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), LabView, machine vision, and third-party equipment.
• Implement Safety Systems: Design and deploy control-reliable safety systems compliant with ANSI/RIA15.06 and OSHA standards to safeguard robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-volume manufacturing equipment.
• Develop User-Friendly HMIs: Create intuitive and aesthetically simple Human-Machine Interface (HMI) screens for complex machinery, providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting and operational clarity.
• Manage External Integrators: Enforce the application of Lucid Motors’ standards and manage external integrators throughout the specification, design review, and approval phases.
• Oversee Testing and Validation: Establish comprehensive test plans and ensure their execution at vendor facilities and Lucid Motors’ locations during installation and buy-off phases.
• Train and Support Teams: Provide training and support to maintenance and production teams to ensure proficient operation and troubleshooting of automated equipment post-deployment.
• Integrate with MES:
Develop machine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and process variables in real time.
• Optimize Automated Processes: Debug and fine-tune automated processes to maximize cycle time, improve equipment availability, and enhance yield.

Qualifications and Skills

To excel in this role, you must possess the following:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Controls Systems Engineering, Electrical and Controls Engineering, or Automation and Control Engineering.
• At least five years of professional experience in an Automation Engineering role, with a preference for candidates with automotive industry experience.
• Proficiency in process integration and electromechanical/mechatronic systems.
• In-depth knowledge of safety standards, including ANSI/RIA15.06 and OSHA.
• Advanced programming skills for industrial equipment, with expertise in PLCs and Safety PLCs (Allen Bradley and/or Siemens).
• Experience with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) platforms such as Ignition, FactoryTalk Optix, or Siemens WinCC.
• Proficiency in fieldbus networks, including Ethernet IP, PROFINET, and safety-rated fieldbus networks.
• Strong understanding of serial communication protocols (RS-232) between PLCs and instruments, as well as Ethernet communications between machine PLCs and databases.