Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

As an Automation Engineer, you will develop, integrate, program, and commission the automated equipment used to manufacture, inspect, and test Dcubed's solar array products. Working across robotics, controls, software, mechanical design, and manufacturing, you will turn ideas into reliable production systems that enable our continued growth.

This is a hands-on role for builders. You'll deploy robotic workstations, automated test equipment, and production tooling, train operators, solve manufacturing challenges on the factory floor, and continuously improve our production capabilities. As one of the first engineers in our US production organization, you'll have a unique opportunity to shape how the factory evolves while remaining directly involved in the assembly, integration, and testing of the flight hardware it produces.

If you're excited by ownership, rapid execution, and seeing your work go from concept to launch vehicle, we'd love to hear from you.

Note: While this role will start in our Johnstown, Colorado facility with travel to Munich, Germany for onboarding, the permanent location will be at a new Dcubed facility north of Denver.

Responsibilities

Automation & Equipment Development

• Design, develop, and implement automated production equipment and manufacturing workstations.
• Develop robotic assembly, material handling, dispensing, fastening, and inspection solutions.
• Specify, procure, install, commission, and qualify automation equipment.
• Design tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and production aids.
• Support factory layout, workflow optimization, and production-line commissioning.

Controls, Robotics & Software

• Program and optimize industrial robots, collaborative robots, and automated production systems.
• Develop PLC, HMI, motion-control, and machine-vision applications.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, cameras, measurement systems, and industrial networks.
• Develop automated testing, inspection, and data-acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot and improve equipment reliability, performance, and cycle times.

Production Support & Industrialization

• Provide technical support for production equipment and automation systems.
• Develop maintenance concepts and support long-term equipment reliability.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.

Product Validation & Flight Hardware Support

• Participate in assembly, integration, inspection, and testing activities for solar array flight hardware, gaining direct insight into manufacturing and qualification processes.
• Support qualification and acceptance campaigns, including deployment, vibration, thermal vacuum, and functional testing.
• Investigate hardware and equipment anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions in collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and product assurance teams.

Training & Coordination

• Train operators and technicians on automated equipment and production processes.
• Develop work instructions, operating procedures, and training materials.
• Coordinate suppliers, integrators, contractors, and internal stakeholders during installation and commissioning activities.
• Act as technical owner of automation equipment throughout its operational lifecycle.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing engineering, industrialization, or production-equipment development.
• Experience commissioning production equipment and supporting manufacturing operations.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, electronics, semiconductor, or other high-reliability industries is desirable.
• Experience supporting factory startup or production-line deployment is a strong advantage.
• Willingness to travel for supplier visits, equipment acceptance testing, commissioning, and training.

Technical Skills

• Hands-on experience developing and integrating automated manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with robot programming (ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Universal Robots, Yaskawa, or similar).
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or equivalent.
• Experience integrating sensors, servos, pneumatics, machine-vision systems, and industrial controls.
• Experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, and automation equipment.
• Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
• Ability to read engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.
• Proficiency with workshop and fabrication tools, including machining, CNC equipment, laser cutting, 3D printing, and prototype fabrication.
• Experience with Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar programming languages is advantageous.
• Familiarity with industrial safety standards, machine commissioning, and manufacturing process development.

Personal Attributes

• Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Practical, hands-on engineer who enjoys building, testing, and improving real hardware.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, particularly under time pressure.
• Confident decision-maker, capable of taking responsibility during critical test and integration activities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, customers, and external test facilities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement about helping build a new facility, production line, and operational capability from the ground up.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Willingness to work in shifts when required to support integration, production, and test activities.
• Willingness to travel for business, including Dcubed GmbH offices in Munich, Germany, as well as to test campaigns and customer sites.
• A US Person as defined by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $110,000 - 140,000 per year (based on experience and qualification)
• Flexible PTO and sick leave
• Hybrid work flexibility when applicable
• Premium Coffee, Beverage, and Snack Bar at the office
• Dog friendly environment
• Team events
• Opportunities for professional growth with a rapidly scaling aerospace company
• For full-time employees:
• Competitive health insurance (medical, vision, dental)
• 401(k), plus company matching
• Discounted Pet Health Insurance

About Us

Dcubed is a fast-growing NewSpace company headquartered in Germering/Munich which accelerates space exploration through durable and affordable space hardware. Our easy-to-use and readily available space mechanisms and subsystems (solar arrays, deployable structures) have flown over a dozen times to space and are used by many of the leading space companies in the world. We are an inclusive workplace where all are welcome (f/m/d).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dcubed is an Equal Opportunity (EO) employer and recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.

This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. and/or Germany export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. and/or Germany export controls.

Please note: Dcubed does not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and will not pay fees for any candidates we have not requested.