Sr Automation Engineers, PWT

Role Overview

Senior Automation Engineer, Powertrain at Lucid Motors. This role is based at the AMP-2 facility, a greenfield powertrain manufacturing plant covering Drive Unit and HV Battery assembly shops.

Company Overview

Lucid Motors creates exceptional mobility experiences through innovation and proprietary technology. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures award-winning vehicles including Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, built on software-defined vehicle architecture. Teams across global offices and manufacturing facilities are united by a shared commitment to excellence and the "Compromise Nothing™" approach to automotive innovation.

Role Purpose

The Sr Automation Engineer, Powertrain owns the complete automation technology stack—PLC architecture, SCADA, historian systems, MES-OT integration, OT cybersecurity, and Industry 4.0 deployment—across AMP-2 Powertrain equipment. This engineer builds automation infrastructure from first commissioning through volume ramp to June 2027 SOP, ensuring standards, uptime, cybersecurity, and data integration for a Factory-4.0-ready plant while transferring 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, with functional safety compliance.
• Maintain PLC program library, version-control repository, and control-system change management.
• Lead FAT/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 such as OSIsoft PI, Ignition Historian, or equivalent for machine performance data.
• Own MES integration for production tracking, quality traceability, and machine-signal integration via OPC-UA and SQL.

OT Cybersecurity

• Enforce OT cybersecurity standards across the facility.
• 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 such as Cognex and Keyence for inspection, verification, and traceability.
• Support robot-PLC integration for FANUC and ABB cells including 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.
• Contribute to Launch Readiness Reviews, Layered Process Audits, and Process Confirmation routines.
• Collaborate across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, EHS, IT/OT, MES, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, and suppliers.

Safety, Quality, Data Integrity & Compliance

• Apply role-specific HV LOTO/HVIL, machine safety, stored-energy isolation, electrical safe-work, and PPE requirements; never bypass 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 on-the-job training, 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 capability.
• 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

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability coverage.
• Paid time off; hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours and salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours.
• Paid holidays and paid sick leave.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• 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, considering all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Contact TA-Operations@lucidmotors.com for accommodation requests related to the application process. All applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.