Automation & Controls Engineering Manager (Power Electronics)

TL;DR

Automation & Controls Engineering Manager (Industrial Automation): Architecting factory automation strategy and leading the controls engineering team for scalable power electronics manufacturing with an accent on PLC standardization, OT/IT integration, and functional safety. Focus on designing full-factory solutions, managing capital equipment deployment, and scaling production from pilot lines to mass production.

Location: On-site in Scotts Valley, USA

Salary: $170,000 – $220,000 per year

Company

hirify.global is building scalable power electronics to enable high-volume, capital-efficient manufacturing of advanced energy systems.

What you will do

• Hire, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of controls and automation engineers.
• Define the automation roadmap, selecting hardware platforms, protocols, and data systems for scalability.
• Develop and maintain a standardized code library and design standards to increase system reliability.
• Oversee controls engineering deliverables for capital equipment, from conceptual design through FAT/SAT and factory ramp.
• Bridge the gap between OT and IT, integrating machine data with MES, SCADA, and ERP systems.
• Own the functional safety strategy and lead internal and external machine safety design reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, including 3+ years in a technical leadership or management role.
• Expert-level mastery of machine programming (structured text, ladder logic, FBD) and motion control.
• Deep proficiency across multiple PLC platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, or Ignition.
• Experience validating electrical schematics according to NFPA 79 / UL 508A standards.
• Proven experience architecting full factory solutions and managing external vendors and system integrators.

Nice to have

• Experience in power electronics, electric vehicle, or battery storage manufacturing sectors.
• Experience building or significantly expanding a controls department from the ground up.
• Expertise in virtual commissioning using Digital Twin or emulation software.
• Proficiency in EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical for design reviews.

Culture & Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including salary and equity.
• Opportunity to work in a fast-paced startup environment with high impact.
• Culture focused on technical innovation, safety excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Mission-driven work accelerating the electrification of everything.