Automation Engineer, PWT

Role Overview

Automation Engineer, PWT at Lucid Motors. Hands-on technical contributor responsible for developing, commissioning, sustaining, and improving PLC, HMI/SCADA/Ignition, industrial networks, vision, robotics interfaces, motion control, and MES/APM integration across AMP-2 Drive Unit and HV Battery assembly.

Company Overview

Lucid is creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. The company is built on proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, bringing a "Compromise Nothing™" approach to the global automotive market. Design, engineering, and production happen in-house across global offices and manufacturing facilities. Teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence.

Role Purpose

Support equipment acceptance from FAT/SAT through Safe Launch, volume ramp, and stable production in compliance with Lucid controls and production system, functional-safety, OT cybersecurity, and change-control standards. Accountable for controls reliability, traceability, fault recovery, uptime, and capability transfer to Saudi engineers and technicians.

Key Responsibilities

PLC Programming, Standards & Change Governance

• Develop, test, and sustain PLC programs, function blocks/AOIs, data structures, and interfaces for DU and HV Battery equipment using approved coding, tag, alarm, diagnostic, and documentation standards.
• Control all software changes through backup, impact/risk assessment, peer review, approval, validation, revision history, rollback readiness, and post-change archive.
• Troubleshoot PLC, I/O, sequencing, interlock, electrical, network, and safety-circuit faults; complete RCA, permanent corrective action, and current backups/drawings/change records.

Launch, FAT/SAT & Equipment Acceptance

• Execute controls FAT/SAT covering I/O, sequence logic, permissive, interlocks, alarms, recovery/restart, safety functions, cycle performance, and data interfaces.
• Review supplier controls deliverables against AMP-2 specifications.
• Own assigned controls punch-list closure, supplier retest, acceptance evidence, production-release support, and final handover of as-built code, parameters, licenses, backups, drawings, manuals, and training records.

HMI/SCADA, MES/APM & Traceability

• Develop HMI/SCADA screens, alarms, events, diagnostics, equipment states, recovery guidance, and historian tags that improve troubleshooting and MTTR.
• Integrate PLCs with MES/APM/LMIS using approved tags, OPC-UA, handshakes, and messaging.
• Validate machine states, counts, rejects, quality results, downtime, serial transactions, genealogy, and traceability end to end.
• Resolve interface and data-quality issues with Manufacturing, Quality, IT/OT, MES, and suppliers.
• Maintain reusable integration templates and accurate station data.

Networks, OT Cybersecurity & Recovery

• Configure and troubleshoot EtherNet/IP, managed switches, addressing, and field-device communications.
• Follow OT cybersecurity, approved software/firmware, role-based access, secure backups, segmentation, accounts, incident escalation, and controls recovery testing.

Vision, Robotics, Motion & Powertrain Interfaces

• Deploy and troubleshoot vision systems like Cognex, Keyence or equivalent vision for inspection, orientation, label verification, error-proofing, and traceability.
• Support FANUC Robots cells at PLC/I/O, handshake, safety, recovery, and cycle level.
• Commission and troubleshoot VFDs, servos, encoders, positioning/homing, and actuators.
• Troubleshoot controls interfaces for fastening, pressing, leak test, dispensing, marking, barcode/RFID, electrical test, material handling, conveyors, and part marriage.

Safety, HV & Compliance

• Support safety PLC changes and validation under ISO 13849/IEC 62061 governance.
• Comply with SASO, applicable Saudi labor requirements, IEC 60204, machine/stored-energy LOTO, electrical safe work, HV LOTO/HVIL, and PPE.

Production Support, Reliability & Launch Governance

• Provide controls support from commissioning through sustaining production.
• Analyze downtime, repeat stops, nuisance alarms, cycle loss, communication faults, and recovery delay.
• Verify permanent countermeasures.
• Contribute to PM/CBM tasks, critical spares, backup strategy, and obsolescence planning.
• Support Safe Launch, run-at-rate, capacity verification, readiness reviews, LPA/Process Confirmation, and QRQC/RCCA closure.

Saudization, Capability Transfer & Collaboration

• Deliver structured OJT, practical assessment, competency progression, training material, troubleshooting guides, matrices, and training plans for Saudi engineers/technicians.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, MES, suppliers, and global technical teams.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 3-5 years of hands-on PLC-based discrete automation.
• Automotive experience, EV, battery, powertrain, or comparable advanced manufacturing is preferred.
• Experience in Powertrain equipment exposure including fastening, pressing, leak test, dispensing, marking, electrical test, and material handling.
• Demonstrated PLC/HMI development plus equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, launch, or high-volume ramp experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot schematics, I/O, networks, panels, safety circuits, and complex controls failures using structured RCA.
• Functional safety, greenfield launch, Safe Launch/run-at-rate, high-volume ramp, and structured engineer/technician capability development.

Skills & Competencies

• Hands-on expertise in Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000; capable of supporting mixed-platform environments and associated safety PLCs.
• HMI/SCADA/Ignition, alarms, historian, diagnostics, FAT/SAT, I/O checkout, startup, punch-list closure, and production handover.
• Industrial-network troubleshooting: Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, PLC/MES integration, and OT cybersecurity discipline.
• Ability to interpret electrical/I/O/network drawings, control panels, and safety circuits.
• Strong structured RCA, documentation, and countermeasure verification.
• Self-directed execution across commissioning and production support.
• Effective communication in multicultural and bilingual English/Arabic environments.
• Fluent professional English; Arabic language strongly preferred.
• Able to work safely around automated equipment, robots, electrical systems, and HV processes within assigned authorization.

Additional Information

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability coverage.
• Paid time off; paid holidays; paid sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off.
• Salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours paid time off.
• Eligible employees may participate in Lucid's equity program and/or discretionary annual cash incentive program.
• Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.