Automation Engineer, Powertrain

About the Role / About the Job
This position serves as a hands-on technical contributor responsible for developing, commissioning, sustaining, and improving PLC, HMI/SCADA/Ignition, industrial networks, vision, robotics interfaces, motion control, and MES/APM integration across AMP-2 Drive Unit and HV Battery assembly. Responsibilities include supporting equipment acceptance from FAT/SAT through Safe Launch, volume ramp, and stable production while ensuring compliance with the company’s control and production system standards, functional safety, OT cybersecurity, and change control standards. The role is also accountable for controls reliability, traceability, fault recovery, uptime, and capability transfer to local engineers and technicians.

Key Responsibilities:

• PLC Programming, Standards & Change Governance
  • Develop, test, and sustain PLC programs, function blocks/AOIs, data structures, and interfaces for DU and HV Battery equipment using approved coding, tag, alarm, diagnostic, and documentation standards.
  • Control all software changes through backup, impact/risk assessment, peer review, approval, validation, revision history, rollback readiness, and post-change archive.
  • Troubleshoot PLC, I/O, sequencing, interlock, electrical, network, and safety-circuit faults; complete RCA, permanent corrective action, and current backups/drawings/change records.
• Launch, FAT/SAT & Equipment Acceptance
  • Execute controls FAT/SAT covering I/O, sequence logic, permissive, interlocks, alarms, recovery/restart, safety functions, cycle performance, and data interfaces; review supplier controls deliverables against AMP-2 specifications.
  • Own assigned controls punch-list closure, supplier retest, acceptance evidence, production-release support, and final handover of as-built code, parameters, licenses, backups, drawings, manuals, and training records.
• HMI/SCADA, MES/APM & Traceability
  • Develop HMI/SCADA screens, alarms, events, diagnostics, equipment states, recovery guidance, and historian tags that improve troubleshooting and MTTR.
  • Integrate PLCs with MES/APM/LMIS using approved tags, OPC-UA, handshakes, and messaging; validate machine states, counts, rejects, quality results, downtime, serial transactions, genealogy, and traceability end to end.
  • Resolve interface and data-quality issues with Manufacturing, Quality, IT/OT, MES, and suppliers; maintain reusable integration templates and accurate station data.
• Networks, OT Cybersecurity & Recovery
  • Configure and troubleshoot EtherNet/IP, managed switches, addressing, and field-device communications.
  • Follow OT cybersecurity, approved software/firmware, role-based access, secure backups, segmentation, accounts, incident escalation, and controls recovery testing.
• Vision, Robotics, Motion & Powertrain Interfaces
  • Deploy and troubleshoot vision systems like Cognex, Keyence or equivalent vision for inspection, orientation, label verification, error-proofing, and traceability; support FANUC Robots cells at PLC/I/O, handshake, safety, recovery, and cycle level.
  • Commission and troubleshoot VFDs, servos, encoders, positioning/homing, actuators, and controls interfaces for fastening, pressing, leak test, dispensing, marking, barcode/RFID, electrical test, material handling, conveyors, and part marriage.
• Safety, HV & Compliance
  • Support safety PLC changes and validation under ISO 13849/IEC 62061 governance; comply with SASO, applicable local labor requirements, IEC 60204, machine/stored-energy LOTO, electrical safe work, HV LOTO/HVIL, and PPE.
• Production Support, Reliability & Launch Governance
  • Provide controls support from commissioning through sustaining production; analyze downtime, repeat stops, nuisance alarms, cycle loss, communication faults, and recovery delay, then verify permanent countermeasures.
  • Contribute to PM/CBM tasks, critical spares, backup strategy, and obsolescence planning; support Safe Launch, run-at-rate, capacity verification, readiness reviews, LPA/Process Confirmation, and QRQC/RCCA closure.
• Saudization, Capability Transfer & Collaboration
  • Deliver structured OJT, practical assessment, competency progression, training material, troubleshooting guides, matrices, and training plans for local engineers/technicians.
  • Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, MES, suppliers, and global technical teams.

Skills:

• Hands-on expertise in Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000; capable of supporting mixed-platform environments and associated safety PLCs.
• HMI/SCADA/Ignition, alarms, historian, diagnostics, FAT/SAT, I/O checkout, startup, punch-list closure, and production handover.
• Industrial-network troubleshooting: Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC-UA, PLC/MES integration, and OT cybersecurity discipline.
• Ability to interpret electrical/I/O/network drawings, control panels, and safety circuits; strong structured RCA, documentation, and countermeasure verification.
• Self-directed execution across commissioning and production support; effective communication in multicultural and bilingual English/Arabic environments.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics Engineering, or closely related discipline.
• 3+ years of hands-on PLC-based discrete automation.
• Demonstrated PLC/HMI development plus equipment commissioning, FAT/SAT, launch, or high-volume ramp experience.
• Ability to troubleshoot schematics, I/O, networks, panels, safety circuits, and complex controls failures using structured RCA.
• Fluent professional in English.
• Able to work safely around automated equipment, robots, electrical systems, and HV processes within assigned authorization.
• Functional safety, greenfield launch, Safe Launch/run-at-rate, high-volume ramp, and structured engineer/technician capability development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Automotive experience, EV, battery, powertrain, or comparable advanced manufacturing.
• Experience in Powertrain equipment exposure including fastening, pressing, leak test, dispensing, marking, electrical test, and material handling.
• Arabic language strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits:
Offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays; paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in the equity program and/or a 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.

Equal Opportunity:
Diversity strengthens everything built, and commitment to providing an inclusive workplace for all is paramount. All qualified applicants are considered 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.

Accessibility:
Commitment to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities is upheld. Individuals needing accommodation to participate in the application process should reach out via the designated email, which will solely handle accommodation requests.

Candidate Data Privacy:
By submitting an application, personal data will be processed in accordance with the Candidate Privacy Notice.