Senior Automation Engineer

Spectrum Killian; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K

Job summary

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to bridge R&D and manufacturing by creating new dental product platforms, advancing materials, and driving automation-first process concepts. You will prototype, validate, and scale innovations across two Centers of Excellence in California and beyond.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in development, knowledge of CAD and material characterization, and experience in regulated environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in robotics, mechanical, or mechatronics engineering (or related).
• 5+ years in product development, advanced manufacturing, or R&D.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (FDA/ISO/AS9100) a plus.
• CAD, product design, material characterization, prototype development, testing, and DFM.
• Lean/Six Sigma Belt certification a plus.
• Dental products and digital manufacturing systems preferred; AI/ML preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new dental product platforms, including restorations and digital workflows.
• Translate customer needs into engineering concepts and product designs.
• Develop prototype designs and proof-of-concept builds.
• Evaluate and develop next generation dental materials and conduct material testing.
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners to evaluate emerging technologies.
• Design new manufacturing processes and digital workflows for future production.
• Lead rapid prototyping cycles to validate concepts and iterate from feedback.
• Prepare validated innovations for transition into the Integration Engine.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical mindset

Engineering problem solving

AI/ML awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, or related engineering discipline

Tools

CAD

3D printing

Automation tools

Material characterization

Job description

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance (SKDLA) is a nationally recognized leader in restorative dentistry, passionate about helping people smile with confidence. We partner with dental professionals across the country to deliver world-class restorations, advanced dental equipment, and trusted services that make a difference for patients every day.

At SKDLA, we combine craftsmanship, cutting‑edge technology, and a deep commitment to quality to create beautiful, lasting results. More than just a dental lab, we are driven by the belief that every restoration represents a person’s confidence, comfort, and well‑being - and that’s a responsibility we take to heart.

Our operations are centered around two advanced Centers of Excellence located in Orange County and Los Angeles. This collaborative environment allows our skilled technicians to innovate, mentor one another, and consistently deliver outstanding results.

Overview:

The Senior Automation Engineer is responsible for developing and implementing new materials, manufacturing processes, and automation opportunities that improve product quality, reduce cost, and increase manufacturing efficiency. This position acts as a bridge between R&D experimentation and scalable operational improvements ensuring that process innovations are validated before being transferred to the integration engine for deployment.

This person focuses on creating the future through new product platforms, advanced dental materials, digital dentistry workflow innovation, automation‑first process concepts, and early validation of emerging technologies that enhance the current manufacturing systems while operating under the following doctrine:

Move Fast. Rapidly explore and prototype new product and process ideas.

Fail Fast. Use micro‑pilots and prototypes to identify risk early.

Learn Fast. Leverage experimentation, feedback, and engineering data to iterate quickly.

Lock Stability Quickly. Deliver validates prototypes and defined process architectures before hand‑off to integration teams.

Protect Margin. Design products and workflows that reduce labor, improve yield, and scale efficiently.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

New Product Platform Development

• Lead the development of new dental product platforms, including restorations, prosthetics, digital workflows, and treatment solutions.
• Translate customer needs into engineering concepts and product designs.
• Develop prototype designs and proof-of-concept builds.

Materials Innovation

• Evaluate and develop next generation dental materials including ceramics, resins, hybrid materials, biomaterials, and additive manufacturing materials.
• Conduct material testing and performance analysis.
• Work with suppliers and research partners to evaluate emerging technologies.

Process Innovation

• Design new manufacturing processes and digital workflows for future production systems.
• Develop prototype manufacturing processes that improve cycle time, labor efficiency, and quality.

Rapid Prototyping & Validation

• Lead rapid prototyping cycles to validate product and workflow concepts.
• Execute design iterations based on testing and feedback.
• Conduct feasibility studies for new technologies.

Innovation Transfer to Integration

• Prepare validated innovations for transition into the Integration Engine that include validated prototype designs, process architecture definitions, design for manufacturability inputs, initial BOM structures, and technology risk assessments.

Technical Research and Technology Scouting

• Identify emerging technologies relevant to restorative dentistry including digital dentistry platforms, automation, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, AI-enabled workflows.
• Conduct technical feasibility assessments.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in robotics engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering, or related engineering discipline required.
• AI and Machine learning preferred.
• Materials science knowledge preferred.
• Lean/Six Sigma Belt certification a plus.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in product development, advanced manufacturing, materials development, device engineering, R&D environments, and prototype development.
• Preferred experience in dental products and digital manufacturing systems.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (FDA, ISO 13485, AS9100, or similar) a plus.
• Experience with CAD, product design, material characterization, prototype development, experimentation and testing, data analysis and statistical methods, and design for manufacturability (DFM)
• Preferred skills in additive manufacturing, digital dentistry platforms, and automation concepts.
• Strong technical curiosity and engineering creativity.
• Ability to translate customer needs into product solutions.
• Effective communication across multi-discipline plant teams.
• Ability to operate in early-stage innovation environments.

Why SKDLA?

• Inclusive Environment: We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for individuals of all backgrounds.
• Career Growth: Spectrum Killian is growing rapidly, offering new opportunities to advance within the company and across promoting internal mobility.
• Compensation and Benefits: We provide competitive pay and upon conversion to full-time status, employees are eligible to enroll in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401K: Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan with an employer match.

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $130,000-$140,000. Final compensation will be individually assessed and may differ based on a variety of factors such as your experience, qualifications, education, skill set, certifications, and other relevant considerations.

Become part of Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance, a trusted leader in restorative and esthetic dentistry. Work alongside skilled technicians in state-of-the-art facilities to deliver high-quality dental solutions that make a lasting impact. If you're driven by innovation, quality, and continuous growth, we invite you to apply and contribute to the future of dental care!

Please note:

All candidates must apply through the official application process. To maintain an equitable and efficient recruiting experience, we ask that applicants refrain from contacting hiring managers, executives, department leaders, or other Spectrum Killian employees directly regarding this position. Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be contacted by a member of our Talent Acquisition team.