Sr Automation Engineers, PWT

Role Overview

Sr Automation Engineer, Powertrain at Lucid Motors. The role is based at AMP-2, a greenfield powertrain manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia, covering both Drive Unit and HV Battery assembly shops.

Company Overview

Lucid creates exceptional mobility experiences through proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures vehicles in-house across global offices and facilities, uniting teams around a commitment to excellence and the "Compromise Nothing™" approach to performance, sustainability, design, and engineering.

Role Purpose

The Sr Automation Engineer owns PLC architecture, SCADA, historian, MES-OT integration, OT cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0 deployment across AMP-2 Powertrain equipment. The engineer builds the automation stack from first commissioning through volume ramp to June 2027 SOP, ensuring standards, uptime, cybersecurity, and data integration for a Factory-4.0-ready plant through disciplined change control, objective launch evidence, cross-functional problem solving, and structured transfer of technical ownership to the Saudi workforce.

Key Responsibilities

PLC Architecture & Standards

• Define and enforce PLC architecture and coding standards across Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000
• Own safety PLC deployment including Siemens F, Rockwell GuardLogix, and Beckhoff TwinSAFE for functional safety compliance
• Maintain PLC program library, version-control repository, and control-system change management
• Lead FAT and SAT for all automated Powertrain equipment

SCADA, Historian & MES Integration

• Own SCADA architecture and standards using Ignition, WinCC, or FactoryTalk View SE
• Deploy and maintain historian systems including OSIsoft PI, Ignition Historian, or equivalent for machine performance data
• Own MES integration for production tracking, quality traceability, and machine-signal integration using OPC-UA and SQL

OT Cybersecurity

• Enforce OT cybersecurity standards across all systems
• Implement network segmentation, secure remote access, and patch management for OT assets
• Coordinate with IT/OT security team on vulnerability management and incident response

IIoT & Industry 4.0 Deployment

• Drive IIoT deployment including machine connectivity, digital dashboards, predictive analytics, and OEE monitoring
• Partner with Data Engineering on data pipelines, tags, and analytics use cases
• Sponsor Industry 4.0 use cases such as predictive maintenance, digital SPC, and closed-loop process control

Vision Systems & Robotics Integration

• Deploy and maintain machine vision systems including Cognex and Keyence for inspection, verification, and traceability
• Support robot-PLC integration for FANUC and ABB cells addressing safety, HMI, and I/O interfaces

HV Safety & Compliance

• Enforce HV LOTO, HVIL continuity, and mandatory HV PPE for all work on or near EV Powertrain equipment
• Comply with SASO, Saudi MOI, and functional safety standards
• Support HV emergency response including thermal runaway isolation and battery-related incident procedures
• Achieve and maintain HV safety competency appropriate to scope of work

Controls Engineering Depth & Lifecycle Governance

• Architect PLC/HMI code, state machines, alarms, diagnostics, recipes, and recovery sequences
• Conduct peer review and enforce modular coding standards
• Own industrial networks, managed switches, addressing, interfaces, time synchronization, and end-to-end MES handshakes
• Validate functional safety changes, safety requirement traceability, and proof-test evidence under formal authorization

Launch Governance & Change Control

• Support FAT/SAT, commissioning, equipment acceptance, Safe Launch, run-at-rate, and capacity verification with objective evidence and disciplined punch-list closure
• Control production, process, software, and test changes through documented risk assessment, approvals, validation, revision history, and rollback or containment planning
• Participate in readiness reviews, Layered Process Audits, and Process Confirmation activities
• Support AMP-2 Safe Launch activities, run-at-rate events, and capacity verification within scope
• Collaborate across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, EHS, IT/OT, MES, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, and suppliers

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Apply role-specific HV LOTO/HVIL, machine safety, stored-energy isolation, electrical safe-work, and PPE requirements without bypassing safety devices or product protections
• Protect product genealogy, calibrated-tool status, test/measurement integrity, document control, and audit-ready objective evidence
• Comply with applicable AMP-2, SASO, Saudi labor/EHS, IATF 16949, IEC 60204, and functional-safety requirements within assigned scope

Saudization & Capability Transfer

• Build Saudi national capability through structured OJT, ILU/skills matrices, practical assessment, certification, cross-training, and documented knowledge transfer

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Control, or Mechatronics Engineering
• 5–8 years in PLC-based industrial automation
• 3+ years in greenfield launch environments
• Demonstrated experience with MES integration and safety PLC deployment
• Demonstrated experience with commissioning, FAT/SAT, launch, production readiness, or high-volume manufacturing ramp within the role discipline
• Working knowledge of IATF 16949, APQP/change control, machine/HV safety, and traceability requirements applicable to the role
• Preferred EV Powertrain equipment experience

Skills & Competencies

• Deep PLC expertise across at least two of Siemens TIA Portal or Rockwell Studio 5000
• Strong SCADA and historian experience, with Ignition preferred
• MES integration experience
• OT cybersecurity experience
• Machine vision and robotics-integration experience
• Strong analytical and structured troubleshooting mindset
• Technical standards, structured problem solving, risk-based decision making, and controlled documentation
• Data literacy: KPI definition, trend analysis, evidence-based validation, and clear executive/shop-floor communication
• Cross-functional influence, supplier coordination, and disciplined ownership in a greenfield launch environment
• Coaching, competency assessment, and knowledge transfer in a multicultural English/Arabic workplace
• Fluent in English; Arabic strongly preferred

Additional Information

• Contract type: Salaried/exempt
• Lucid offers comprehensive and competitive benefits including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays; paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan
• 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
• Lucid Motors is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all qualified applicants
• Reasonable accommodations are provided for qualified individuals with disabilities