Automation Controls Engineer

Senior Staff Automation Projects EngineerFounded in 2015 to develop the world's first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. We build and operate advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting-edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship. Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.Job PurposeAs the Senior Staff Automation Projects Engineer, you will be a principal driver behind the advanced automation programs that scale VulcanForms' production capabilities. This P4 position is specifically calibrated for an elite, high-impact engineer who possesses a sophisticated blend of technical mastery, balancing internal and external project planning, ability to align stakeholders to the overall project goals, and improve VulcanForms processes along the way. This role is focused on delivering projects rather than team management. You support the technology roadmap, program-level KPI planning, and major CapEx budgets for your scope, while cultivating a culture of engineering excellence through advanced technical mentorship. Success in this role means delivering designs and projects with ambitious automation concepts into seamless, 24/7 "lights-out" factory realities.Key ResponsibilitiesMacro Program Delivery & Execution: Independently lead and execute high-stakes, multi-million dollar automation initiatives from initial concept through to stable 24/7 production release. Ensure all concurrent project lines meet rigorous high-level KPIs across Safety, Quality, Timing, and Cost.CapEx & Program-Level Planning: Own the financial and operational health of the automation project lines within your scope. Drive program-level KPI planning, manage capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets, and handle strategic resource allocation to ensure optimal ROI on automated infrastructure.Advanced Technical Mentorship: Drive a culture of world-class engineering excellence across the organization. You will serve as a key technical leader—conducting critical design reviews, shaping technical hiring strategies, and actively coaching and growing the skills of junior and mid-level engineers.Strategic Vendor & OEM Alliances: Act as a primary technical and commercial authority interfacing with 3rd-party automation integrators, global equipment manufacturers, and machinery OEMs. Define highly complex Statements of Work, manage critical milestones, and mitigate high-level vendor risk.Standardization & Interoperability: Support the implementation of automation standards and frameworks across the company. Ensure complete interoperability and data continuity between custom physical machinery, industrial robotics networks, and enterprise "digital threads" (MES, PLM, ERP) to optimize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership: Work closely within the company with all stakeholders, to translate complex engineering and project data into clear automation projects and goals. Ultimately deliver those projects to the factory operations teams.Continuous Improvement & Governance: Ensure technical lessons learned from all completed automation deployments are systematically captured and incorporated into future project architectures, continuously elevating internal engineering standards.Qualifications10+ years of progressive engineering and technical project leadership experience within high-volume, advanced manufacturing, systems integration, or industrial automation environments.A proven track record of successfully executing large-scale capital engineering programs, managing multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million dollar budgets, and fundamentally altering factory unit economics.Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Robotics, or Systems Engineering.Deep foundational expertise in the lifecycle deployment of industrial robotics, PLC-based control architectures, automated material handling, and custom machinery, with the ability to serve as an escalation point for complex technical challenges.Exceptional communication and negotiation skills with a proven ability to interface with management-level internal teams (Quality, Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain) and present project status up and down the reporting structure.Preferred QualificationsDirect experience driving highly automated "lights-out" manufacturing initiatives specifically targeting complex post-processing workflows for metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) systems.Practical, advanced understanding of manufacturability, reliability, and maintainability (DfM/DfR) inside a centralized, high-precision factory framework.VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.The annual base salary range for this position is $159,000 to $219,000.