Senior Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Cantos Ventures; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 209,000; Full time

Job summary

Neros in Torrance, CA is hiring a Senior Automation Engineer to scale manufacturing by automating assembly and test processes. You will develop solutions from fixtures to advanced systems, enabling higher throughput, better quality, and lower costs, with cross-functional collaboration across Manufacturing, Design, Quality, and Software teams.

The role requires 7+ years in high-volume production automation, CAD SolidWorks, PLCs, machine vision, and Python/C# programming.

Qualifications

• 7+ years designing, building and deploying automation equipment in high-volume production
• Experience developing automated assembly systems, test stations, fixtures, and control solutions from concept to production
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks) and experience creating manufacturable automation
• Hands-on with PLCs, sensors, machine vision, robotics, pneumatics, and motion control
• Integration of hardware and software for automation including data collection and monitoring
• Identify bottlenecks, perform ROI analysis, and deliver automation that improves throughput and quality
• Support NPI builds and scale automation to production
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Test, Design, Quality, and Software
• Proficient in Python or C# for automation and test apps
• Knowledge of SPC, DFM/DFA, GD&T and KPIs for robust designs

Responsibilities

• Scale manufacturing by automating assembly and test processes
• Develop solutions from fixtures to advanced automated systems
• Build a manufacturing operation to support rapid growth and future products
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Test, Design, Quality and Software teams

Skills

7+ years experience in automation

Automation system development

ROI analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Python/C# programming

GD&T and QC knowledge

NPI support

Manufacturing bottleneck analysis

Process control

Tools

SolidWorks

Machine vision systems

Industrial controls (PLCs, sensors)

Robotics and motion control

fixtures and automation hardware

Job description

Who we are

Neros is a defense technology company rebuilding America’s drone industrial base. We design and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are tested in combat, iterated at startup speed, and built at massive scale. Our team culture is fast, hands-on, and obsessed with closing the gap between design and deployment.

As drones transform the character of warfare, Neros is delivering the systems the West needs to compete on the modern battlefield and deter the adversaries of democracy. We’re hiring engineers, operators, and builders who want to move fast, take on extreme ownership, and get capability into the hands of warfighters in months, not years.

What you will be doing

We are hiring a Senior Automation Engineer to scale our manufacturing capabilities by automating assembly and test processes, enabling higher throughput, improved quality, and reduced operational cost. This role will develop solutions ranging from simple fixtures to advanced automated systems, helping build a manufacturing operation that can support rapid growth and future products.

You should have the following

• 7+ years of experience designing, building, and deploying manufacturing automation equipment in a high-volume production environment


• Proven experience developing automated assembly systems, test stations, fixtures, and process control solutions from concept through production deployment


• Strong mechanical design skills with proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks or equivalent) and experience creating manufacturable automation solutions


• Hands-on experience with industrial controls, including PLCs, sensors, machine vision systems, robotics, pneumatics, and motion control systems


• Experience integrating hardware and software for automated manufacturing and test applications, including data collection and process monitoring


• Demonstrated ability to identify manufacturing bottlenecks, perform ROI analysis, and deliver automation projects that improve throughput, yield, quality, and labor efficiency


• Experience supporting NPI builds and transitioning automation solutions from prototype to scalable production


• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills with Manufacturing, Test, Design, Quality, and Software Engineering teams in a fast-paced product development environment


• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or C# for automation, controls, and manufacturing test applications


• Knowledge of manufacturing quality systems, statistical process control (SPC), and Design for Manufacturing/Automation (DFM/DFA) principles


• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, process capability (Cp/Cpk), SPC, and manufacturing KPIs to design robust automation solutions that account for variation and enable scalable production

Nice to Have

• Experience with drone, aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, or other high-reliability electromechanical products


• Experience with machine vision inspection systems, robotic integration, and advanced motion control platforms


• Experience supporting high-mix, low-volume NPI builds and scaling processes to high-volume production environments

US Salary Range

$149,500 - $209,000 USD

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are considered part of Neros' total compensation package.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all applicants without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.