Lead Automation and Controls Engineer

Approach Venture | Advancing Frontier Tech with Top Talent

Lead Automation and Controls Engineer – Build Scalable Manufacturing Systems for a Next Generation Materials Startup!

El Segundo, CA | On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join a rapidly growing hardware startup that is transforming how high-performance composite components are manufactured for aerospace, defense, transportation, and next-generation mobility systems. This company is scaling a breakthrough materials and production technology that enables complex, lightweight structures to be manufactured at speeds far exceeding traditional composite processes. As the Lead Automation and Controls Engineer, you will take ownership of designing and growing the automation foundation that drives this cutting‑edge production line.

You will work across mechanical, electrical, operations, and manufacturing teams to deliver robust automated systems that transition the company from pilot scale into full‑scale manufacturing. This is an opportunity to build automation from the ground up in an environment where your work has an immediate and visible impact on product output and business growth.

About Us

We are an emerging advanced manufacturing startup developing a novel method for producing high‑strength composite components at unprecedented speed and scale. Our technology combines the performance characteristics of continuous fiber structures with the manufacturability and efficiency required for future aerospace and high‑performance applications. Backed by strong investors and now moving quickly toward higher production volumes, we are building the engineering team that will support our next stage of growth.

Job Duties

• Lead the strategy and execution of automated manufacturing systems, including robotics, conveyance, controls, sensors, and data infrastructure.
• Drive projects from early concept through design, procurement, system integration, testing, commissioning, and production ramp.
• Build and refine PLC and SCADA architectures that support automation reliability, scalability, safety, and maintainability.
• Develop technical specifications for equipment, evaluate new technologies, and select vendors and hardware to support automation expansion.
• Partner closely with mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, tooling, and quality teams to define requirements and deliver highly reliable automated solutions.
• Establish standards for system documentation, safety practices, programming conventions, and control system organization.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as cycle time, uptime, throughput, yield, and maintenance frequency, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create modular automation solutions that align with evolving production needs and future high volume manufacturing targets.
• Mentor or manage junior engineers and help define long‑term controls and automation team structure.
• Participate in supplier selection for automation components and develop strong partnerships with key equipment and integration partners.
• Ensure adherence to relevant safety, quality, and compliance requirements common in high performance aerospace and industrial manufacturing environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience creating, deploying, and scaling automation systems within a manufacturing setting.
• Proficiency with controls programming and industrial automation platforms such as Allen‑Bradley or Siemens, along with robotics integration experience using systems like FANUC or KUKA.
• Strong experience implementing motion control, PLC logic, HMI development, vision systems, and industrial networking.
• Proven ability to manage technical projects from design to production launch while coordinating across multiple engineering and operations functions.
• Experience setting automation architecture, developing standards, and mentoring other engineers.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities with the skill to translate operational challenges into clear automation requirements.
• Ability to thrive in a…