Automation Engineer (Sacamento)

Role   Automation Engineer  Location   Sacramento, CA  Department   Manufacturing  Reports To   Head of Automation  Position Type   Full-time    About Peak Energy  Peak Energy Technologies 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.  We're a team of about 105 today growing rapidly as we move from pilot through commercial scale-up. We operate with modern tooling, including a company-wide AI platform and a builder-first culture that rewards taking ownership end-to-end.  Our leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling gigawatt-level innovation at world-class companies such as Tesla, Northvolt, Apple, Powin, Enovix, Zipline, Solid Power, and Fluence. We are backed by strategic investment and product partners such as Xora, Eclipse Ventures, and TDK Ventures.  We are a team of engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, and partners driven by a shared ambition to set the new performance standard for renewable energy and grid resilience.  About the Role: Automation Engineer  The Automation Engineer is the first automation engineer on Peak Energy's Sacramento manufacturing team and the most senior individual contributor on the automation function. This is a hands-on technical role with broad ownership: you will support the selection and commissioning of vendor-supplied manufacturing equipment, take technical ownership of that equipment once it is on the floor, and work alongside a peer Controls Engineer on in-house designed equipment as that program develops.  Our Sacramento manufacturing facility is in the planning and build-out phase. This person will be hired to help open it. That means participating in design reviews and Factory Acceptance Tests for vendor-supplied equipment before it ships, then being responsible for keeping that equipment running and driving targeted improvements to yield and cycle time once it is installed. For in-house designed equipment, the role starts as a supporting position and progresses toward full ownership as systems mature.  There is no existing automation team to inherit. This person will be the technical foundation of it.  Third-Party Equipment  Participate in design reviews for the acquisition of 3rd-party designed and programmed manufacturing equipment, providing technical input on automation architecture, PLC platform compatibility, and control system specifications  Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) at vendor facilities, including occasional international travel, to validate that systems meet Peak Energy's requirements before shipment  Support Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) during installation and commissioning of incoming equipment at the Sacramento facility  Take technical ownership of commissioned 3rd-party equipment: responsible for system uptime, troubleshooting control system issues, and implementing targeted improvements to yield and cycle time  Equipment in scope includes welding systems, adhesive dispensing equipment, and torque tooling systems  In-House Designed Equipment  Collaborate with a peer Controls Engineer on program loading and commissioning of in-house designed manufacturing equipment  Develop working knowledge of in-house equipment control architecture and progressively take on ownership responsibility as systems are commissioned and stabilized  Once ownership is established, apply the same uptime and improvement standards as for 3rd-party equipment  Ongoing Automation and Controls Work  Design, configure, and maintain PLC programs using Beckhoff TwinCAT v3 to optimize production and ensure quality across facility equipment  Design and maintain SCADA systems and HMI interfaces using TwinCAT HMI as the primary platform, giving operators and engineers clear visibility into equipment status and performance  Establish and maintain connectivity between PLCs and MES systems to enable real-time production data, traceability, and process monitoring  Implement data acquisition systems to collect and analyze production data; use that data to identify and drive process improvements  Develop and maintain safety systems including emergency shutdown procedures and safety interlocks in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements  Create and maintain comprehensive automation documentation: control system designs, change management records, operator manuals, and maintenance procedures  Collaborate with equipment engineers, process engineers, and manufacturing leadership to ensure automation systems support production goals  Support root cause analysis on control system issues; document findings and corrective actions systematically  What You'll Bring  Hands-on technical experience with Beckhoff PLCs, TwinCAT v3, and TwinCAT HMI; comfortable writing code and assessing the code of others  Fanuc robot programming using TP (teach pendant) and ROBOGUIDE; able to develop, simulate, and deploy robot programs offline before installation  Experience integrating vision systems into PLC and robot control logic, including pass/fail signal handling and communication with automation controllers  Proficiency with industrial network protocols including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET; able to configure and troubleshoot device-level communications  Working knowledge of robot cell safety architecture: safety-rated controllers, guarding design, light curtains, and safety I/O integration  Demonstrated experience supporting or leading Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) for industrial manufacturing equipment, including working with 3rd-party vendors  Experience taking technical ownership of manufacturing equipment: troubleshooting, maintaining uptime, and driving yield and cycle time improvements  Proficiency with SCADA systems, HMI design, and industrial data acquisition platforms  Demonstrated experience establishing connectivity between PLC/SCADA systems and MES platforms for production traceability and data acquisition  Strong documentation skills; able to produce clear control system designs, procedures, and change records that others can follow and build on  Comfortable working as the most senior IC on a new team in an environment where standards and procedures are still being established  BS or MS in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience  Willingness to travel occasionally for Factory Acceptance Tests at vendor facilities, including internationally  Preferred Qualifications  Hands-on experience with welding systems, adhesive dispensing equipment, or torque tooling in an industrial manufacturing environment  Experience with Cognex vision systems including In-Sight or VisionPro for inspection, guidance, or identification applications  Experience with force/torque sensing in compliant assembly applications  Experience integrating barcode or QR code scanning systems with MES for cell-level production traceability  Experience in battery manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, or other high-precision industrial environments  Familiarity with Ignition by Inductive Automation for SCADA and data acquisition  Experience at a company scaling from pilot production to commercial-scale manufacturing  Familiarity with BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) assembly processes and equipment  Comfort using modern AI tools in day-to-day workflow; we operate with Claude as a company-wide platform and reward engineers who use these tools to compound their output  Diversity and Inclusion  Peak Energy is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage women, people of color, and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply. We value skills, potential, and perspective over specific credentials. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't look perfect on paper, we still want to hear from you.  Our Core Values  Speed Through Focus. Move fast but understand why. Focus on the goal, don't sacrifice quality.  Mission Over Self. It's about the greater good; confident humility. Take ownership and accountability.  Face the Brutal Truth. Transparency, honesty, big picture curiosity. Fearless decision making.  Be a Good Person. Kindness, collaboration and teamwork.  Compensation and Benefits  The salary range for this role is $160,000 - $210,000, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills. Our competitive benefits package includes:  Flexible time off  Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage  Strong 401(k) plan  Equity opportunities  Many great work perks  Join us to thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.  Equal Employment Opportunity  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.