Principal Automation Engineer

Founded in 2015 to develop the world’s first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, Vulcan Forms is reshaping how the world manufactures critical products. We build and operate advanced digital infrastructure that enables innovation, accelerates growth, and supports sustainability across aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. Through our vertically integrated capabilities, including scalable additive manufacturing and precision machining, we deliver true end-to-end production at scale by combining cutting‑edge technology with a foundation of proven industrial craftsmanship.

Our team brings deep expertise in manufacturing, materials science, software, automation, and operations, united by a shared commitment to quality, curiosity, and accountability. We foster an inclusive culture where people take ownership, solve meaningful problems, and continuously learn, because we believe diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes.

As the Principal Automation Engineer
, you will be the visionary architect of Vulcan Forms’ advanced automation ecosystem and "lights‑out" manufacturing strategy. You will move beyond individual project execution to lead the high‑level roadmap for production scale, driving the deployment of multi‑million‑dollar automation programs. Your goal is to engineer the "Factory of the Future" – standardizing, scaling, and automating labor‑intensive operations to achieve world‑class efficiency and 24/7 autonomous production.

You will serve as a force multiplier, providing technical governance and mentorship while fostering a culture of rigorous engineering excellence.

• Architect and own the long‑term automation roadmap, identifying systemic operational constraints and leading multiple large‑scale programs to increase capacity and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Act as the ultimate technical authority for automation, ensuring that all robotic cells and "lights‑out" strategies are interoperable, scalable, and aligned with enterprise‑level business goals.
• Establish the foundational engineering standards, design guidelines, and global validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) that will be used across all manufacturing sites to ensure uniform uptime and quality.
• Partner with executive leadership and cross‑functional teams to ensure automation hardware integrates seamlessly with digital threads (MES, PLM, ERP) and IIoT platforms.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end lifecycle of complex systems, ensuring that high‑risk prototypes are successfully industrialized into robust, repeatable, and safe 24/7 production assets.
• Lead the "Production Readiness" mindset across the organization. Conduct critical design reviews, mentor Senior and Staff‑level engineers, and drive a culture of reuse and modular automation platforms.
• Act as the primary technical interface for strategic automation OEMs and system integrators, ensuring Vulcan Forms stays at the cutting edge of industrial technology.

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, factory automation, or industrial systems development, with a proven history of leading multiple large‑scale, high‑complexity automation programs.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Robotics Engineering (PhD preferred).
• Demonstrated experience moving from "blank sheet" concepts to fully autonomous, high‑volume production environments.
• Expert‑level proficiency in industrial robotics (ABB, Fanuc, Denso), PLC‑based control systems, machine vision, and sophisticated material handling.
• Proven ability to translate complex business needs into high‑level functional, technical, and safety requirements that influence the entire manufacturing organization.
• Deep expertise in Design for Manufacturability, Reliability, and Maintainability (DfM/DfR/DfM) specifically for high‑precision, regulated manufacturing environments.
• Proven ability to drive technical alignment and project execution across disparate engineering disciplines and executive stakeholders.

• Experience scaling "lights‑out" initiatives across multiple geographic sites or large‑scale industrial footprints.
• Hands‑on familiarity with the unique automation challenges of Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM), specifically regarding powder handling, post‑processing, and flight‑critical hardware.
• Expertise in architecting IIoT and SCADA systems that bridge the gap between physical hardware and cloud‑based data analytics.

Vulcan Forms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, Vulcan Forms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.

The annual base salary range for this position is $178,000 to $245,000.