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Salary: USD 172,000 - 218,000 / annual
Sila Nanotechnologies is a next-generation battery materials company on a mission to power the world's transition to clean energy. The company engineers and manufactures breakthrough battery materials that significantly increase energy density while reducing size and weight, enabling smaller, more powerful batteries for consumer devices and electric vehicles.
As a Senior Staff Automation Controls Engineer, you will architect, design, and deploy robust, deterministic machine control software and electrical subsystems for complex, production-scale materials processing equipment. This is a technical leadership role that bridges cross-functional teams—from research scientists to shop-floor technicians—to build high-reliability, first-of-a-kind industrial automation platforms.
Key responsibilities include:
• Architecture & System Design: Lead strategy, software architecture, and electrical design for modular, deterministic, and scalable control systems. Define engineering standards and specifications for novel capital equipment.
• Software & Automation Engineering: Architect HMI software and write robust PLC code primarily in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3). Implement industrial Fieldbus protocols (EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus) and batch/safety standards (ISA-88, IEC 61151, SIS).
• Electrical & Hardware Design: Design electrical schematics, power distribution, control panels, and network architectures. Apply deep knowledge of AC/DC power, analog signals, control wiring, and functional safety systems.
• Execution, Validation & Quality: Drive projects end-to-end through system integration, advanced troubleshooting, and formal validation (FAT/SAT). Generate comprehensive technical documentation for software and hardware.
• Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment: Drive technical engagements with strategic vendors and collaborate with research scientists, engineers, and technicians. Mentor mid- and junior-level controls engineers to promote engineering rigor and best practices.
Required qualifications: 10+ years of industry experience deploying mission-critical industrial automation systems and capital equipment. B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. Preferred: experience with complex materials processing involving high technical risk (extreme temperatures/pressures, unforgiving chemistry, strict uptime requirements).
