Automation Engineer Intern

Peak Energy; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

Peak Energy is seeking a motivated Automation Engineering Intern to join our Manufacturing Engineering team, focusing on PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for BESS manufacturing automation.

You will work with senior engineers on hands‑on projects, from commissioning PLC programs to on‑floor troubleshooting, gaining real experience in industrial automation processes and safety systems.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently completed degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, or related field.
• Foundational knowledge of PLC programming, SCADA systems, and HMI design principles.
• Hands‑on experience building, testing, or modifying automation or control systems.
• Willingness to learn and take direction from senior engineers.

Responsibilities

• Support the programming, testing, and commissioning of PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for BESS manufacturing equipment.
• Partner with Equipment Engineers to integrate automation solutions into new and existing equipment.
• Help analyze production processes and identify opportunities for automation and control improvements.
• Support data acquisition systems and organize production data for analysis by engineers.
• Assist in maintaining safety systems and interlocks.
• Troubleshoot control system issues on the manufacturing floor with senior engineers.
• Collaborate with Process and Maintenance teams to ensure system support for production.
• Document control system designs and training materials for operators.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems

HMI design

Hands-on automation

Strong communicator

Education

Electrical/Controls/AutomationEngineering degree (pursuing or completed)

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Ignition by Inductive Automation

Job description

Job Title: Automation Engineering Intern

Department: Manufacturing Engineering

Reports to: Luke Anderson

Position Type: Internship (3, 6, or 9 months available)

Start Date: Fall/Winter 2026

Compensation: $30–$35/hour

About the Company

Peak Energy is the first American venture to advance globally proven Sodium-Ion battery systems as the storage standard for the new era of renewable energy on a resilient grid. Sodium-Ion is cheap, readily available and safe, making it the leading contender in a rapidly evolving market.

Our leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling gigawatt-level innovation at world‑class companies such as Tesla, Northvolt, SunPower, Fluence, and Enovix. We are backed by strategic investment and product partners such as TDK Ventures and Eclipse Ventures.

We are a team of engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and partners driven by a shared ambition to set the new performance standard for renewable energy and grid resilience.

About the Job

Peak Energy is seeking a motivated Automation Engineering Intern to join our Manufacturing Engineering team supporting Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing automation. This is a hands‑on internship focused on gaining direct exposure to the PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems that keep our production lines running safely and efficiently.

You will work closely with senior Controls Engineers, Equipment Engineers, and Process Engineers, contributing to real automation projects that support Peak Energy's work scaling ESS production toward 1 GWh/year capacity by 2027.

One day you might be helping commission a PLC program on the pilot line; another, you could be out on the production floor troubleshooting a control system fault alongside a senior engineer, or documenting a new HMI screen for operators. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects and build real, hands‑on experience with the tools and systems used in industrial automation.

Responsibilities:

• Support the programming, testing, and commissioning of PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for BESS manufacturing equipment, under the guidance of senior Controls Engineers.
• Partner with Equipment Engineers to help integrate automation solutions into new and existing manufacturing equipment.
• Help analyze production processes and identify opportunities for automation and control improvements.
• Support the implementation and upkeep of data acquisition systems, helping collect and organize production data for Process and Automation Engineers to analyze.
• Assist in maintaining safety systems, such as emergency shutdown procedures and safety interlocks.
• Help troubleshoot control system issues on the manufacturing floor alongside senior engineers, and support routine maintenance of automation systems.
• Collaborate with Process Engineers, Equipment Engineers, and Maintenance to ensure control systems support production needs.
• Contribute to documentation of control system designs, revisions, and updates, and support operator and maintenance training materials.
• Participate in hands‑on testing and validation of automation equipment and control system changes.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Pursuing or recently completed a degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• Foundational knowledge of PLC programming, SCADA systems, and HMI design principles, gained through coursework, capstone projects, or hands‑on experience.
• Hands‑on experience building, testing, troubleshooting, or modifying automation or control systems through coursework, student projects, internships, research, or personal projects.
• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills, with a willingness to learn and take direction from senior engineers.
• Clear communicator who works well in cross‑functional teams.
• Available to work onsite in Burlingame, CA for a 3-, 6-, or 9-month internship term.
• Eligible to work in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to industrial automation platforms (e.g., Beckhoff TwinCAT, Allen‑Bradley, or Siemens) through coursework or hands‑on projects.
• Familiarity with data acquisition or historian platforms, such as Ignition by Inductive Automation.
• Previous automation, controls, or manufacturing engineering internship or project experience.
• Basic understanding of environmental and safety regulations relevant to controls and automation in manufacturing.
• Eagerness to adapt to new technologies and grow technical skills in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Peak Energy Core Values

Speed Through Focus: Prioritize what matters most and execute quickly without distractions.

Mission Over Self: Put the company's mission and team success ahead of individual interests.

Face the Brutal Truth: Embrace honesty, even when it's uncomfortable, to make informed decisions.

Be a Good Person: Treat everyone with respect and integrity, fostering a positive and ethical work environment.

Compensation and Benefits

The pay for this role is $30–$35/hour. You'll gain hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge energy storage technology and mentorship from experienced controls and automation engineers while contributing directly to Peak Energy's mission to scale sustainable battery manufacturing.

At Peak Energy Technologies Inc., we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes us a more capable, innovative, and competitive company. We welcome people who represent diversity in their backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. Peak Energy Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, aiming to reach our company's full potential by cultivating an inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.