Senior Staff Automation Architect & Controls Lead

Socket.dev; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 218,000; Full time

Job summary

Sila, a next-generation battery materials company in Alameda, CA, seeks a Senior Staff Automation Controls Engineer to architect and deploy robust machine control software and electrical subsystems for production-scale equipment.

You will bridge scientists to shop-floor technicians, define engineering standards, and lead cross-functional teams to build high-reliability automation platforms that power next-generation batteries.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience deploying mission-critical automation systems.
• B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience with complex materials processing involves high technical risk (extreme temperatures/pressures, unforgiving chemistry, uptime requirements).

Responsibilities

• Architect strategy, software architecture, and electrical design for modular, deterministic control systems.
• Develop HMI software and PLC code; implement Fieldbus protocols.
• Design electrical schematics, power distribution, and network architectures.
• Drive end-to-end project execution with system integration, validation, and documentation.
• Mentor mid- and junior-level controls engineers to promote engineering rigor.

Skills

Control systems

HMI design

PLC programming

Fieldbus protocols

System architecture

Education

B.S. in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Eng

Tools

Structured Text

IEC 61131-3

Job description

Sila, a next-generation battery materials company in Alameda, CA, seeks a Senior Staff Automation Controls Engineer to architect and deploy robust machine control software and electrical subsystems for production-scale equipment.

You will bridge scientists to shop-floor technicians, define engineering standards, and lead cross-functional teams to build high-reliability automation platforms that power next-generation batteries.