Automation Engineer I

Engg; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision Insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Equity program

Job summary

Lucid is seeking an Automation Engineer, Powertrain to ensure control systems meet throughput, safety and quality for production. You will design, develop and improve plant-wide automation, including PLC, MES interfaces, robotics and HMI screens.

The role requires building maintainable code, collaborating across engineering teams, and guiding vendor integrations from specification through buy-off in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical or computer engineering or related field.
• 0–2+ years in automation engineering within automotive or manufacturing.
• Proficient in ladder logic PLCs and safety PLCs, with organized code practices.
• Experience with MES, vision systems, robotics and HMI design.
• Strong knowledge of safety standards (ANSI/RIA 15.06, OSHA).

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain PLC ladder logic for production lines and safety systems.
• Architect data networks and interfaces for MES, PLCs and machines.
• Design and implement automated equipment, conveyors, robots and vision
• Create test plans, validate installations and support commissioning.
• Train maintenance and production teams for smooth production handover.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve cycle time and yield.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation engineering

MES integration

Vision systems

HMI design

Safety standards

Ethernet/IP

Robot programming

Data communications

3D CAD (SolidWorks/CATIA)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Computer Engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley RSLogix 5000

LabVIEW

Ignition

Fanuc Robots

Cognex/Keyence vision

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our \"Compromise Nothing™\" approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience. We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and production happening in-house across our global offices and manufacturing facilities. Our teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, you can help redefine what’s possible and shape the future of mobility. The Automation Engineer, Powertrain will be responsible of ensuring new and existing control systems meet throughput, safety, and quality requirements for production, as well as designing and developing continuous improvement projects according to the company's needs.

You Will

• Have familiarity with equipment control systems, equipment I/Os and basic machine coding logic.


• Work with layout engineering to prepare and optimize Powertrain line layouts


• Experience working with the following equipment: robotics, end of arm tooling, pick and place automation, position sensors, material handling , fluid dispensing, vision systems, conveyor and laser cleaning and welding.


• Develop company level, factory level, and line/machine level controls standards and specification for application by internal equipment development team and external partners


• Create data management and tracking communications network architecture and interface with cross-functional teams for product, processes and quality traceability control implementation


• Architect, write and debug PLC ladder logic with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable.


• PLC code will interact with subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), LabView, machine vision, and 3rd party equipment


• Implement (ANSI/ RIA15.06/OSHA compliant) control reliable safety systems for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high volume manufacturing equipment


• Generate aesthetically simple HMI screens for complex machinery while providing sufficient feedback for troubleshooting


• Enforce application of Lucid Motors standards, Manage external integrators during specification, design review, design approval


• Establish test plans and control test plan execution at Vendor and at Lucid Motors facility during installation and buy-off


• Train Maintenance and Production teams to support automated equipment after deployment into production


• Create machine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to communicate product acceptability, machine status, and process variables


• Debug and optimize automated processes to maximize cycle time, improve availability and yield

You Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Computer engineering or related field is preferred, a combination of years of experience may be considered in lieu of degree 0 - 2+ years of experience in an Automation Engineering role in the automotive industry


• Proficiency with process integration and electromechanical / mechatronic systems


• In-depth knowledge of Safety standards (ANSI/ RIA15.06 , OSHA).


• Advanced proficiency programming industrial equipment: Ladder logic PLCs (Allen Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix and RSLogix 5000) Safety PLCs (Allen Bradley ControlLogix, SmartGuard, etc) Human Machine Interface (IGNITION IS A MUST)


• Field bus Networks (Ethernet IP, Safety rated field bus networks)


• Serial communication (RS-232) between PLCs and instruments Ethernet communications between machine PLCs and database systems


• Demonstrated excellence in programming PLCs.


• Must have a well-defined methodology for maintaining code structure and organization.


• Ability to program state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition, and PID control.


• Proven ability to design fault-tolerant systems with error handling and recovery


• Proficiency selecting appropriate circuit protectors, wire and cable, sensors, safety hardware, PLC hardware, remote I/O, VFD and servo systems


• Exposure to a wide variety of production machinery, industrial sensors, and equipment (LVDT and pressure transducers, dispense systems, temperature controllers, DC nut runner torque controllers, current and power meters, etc)


• Experience programming Fanuc Robots is a plus


• Experience with Vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, Fanuc) is desired


• Experience creating technical specifications for automated manufacturing equipment is highly desired


• Experience transitioning products and processes from prototype to production desired


• Knowledge of production quality metrics is a plus


• Ability to use 3D CAD packages such as with SolidWorks and CATIA is a plus

Compensation & Benefits

• Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan.


• Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off.


• Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program.


• Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity

At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we buil