About the Role
As an Automation Engineer, you will develop, integrate, program, and commission the automated equipment used to manufacture, inspect, and test Dcubed's solar array products. Working across robotics, controls, software, mechanical design, and manufacturing, you will turn ideas into reliable production systems that enable our continued growth.
This is a hands-on role for builders. You'll deploy robotic workstations, automated test equipment, and production tooling, train operators, solve manufacturing challenges on the factory floor, and continuously improve our production capabilities. As one of the first engineers in our US production organization, you'll have a unique opportunity to shape how the factory evolves while remaining directly involved in the assembly, integration, and testing of the flight hardware it produces.
If you're excited by ownership, rapid execution, and seeing your work go from concept to launch vehicle, we'd love to hear from you.
Note: While this role will start in our Johnstown, Colorado facility with travel to Munich, Germany for onboarding, the permanent location will be at a new Dcubed facility north of Denver.
Responsibilities
Automation & Equipment Development
Design, develop, and implement automated production equipment and manufacturing workstations.
Develop robotic assembly, material handling, dispensing, fastening, and inspection solutions.
Specify, procure, install, commission, and qualify automation equipment.
Design tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and production aids.
Support factory layout, workflow optimization, and production-line commissioning.
Controls, Robotics & Software
Program and optimize industrial robots, collaborative robots, and automated production systems.
Develop PLC, HMI, motion-control, and machine-vision applications.
Integrate sensors, actuators, cameras, measurement systems, and industrial networks.
Develop automated testing, inspection, and data-acquisition systems.
Troubleshoot and improve equipment reliability, performance, and cycle times.
Production Support & Industrialization
Provide technical support for production equipment and automation systems.
Develop maintenance concepts and support long-term equipment reliability.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, repeatability, and throughput.
Product Validation & Flight Hardware Support
Participate in assembly, integration, inspection, and testing activities for solar array flight hardware, gaining direct insight into manufacturing and qualification processes.
Support qualification and acceptance campaigns, including deployment, vibration, thermal vacuum, and functional testing.
Investigate hardware and equipment anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions in collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and product assurance teams.
Training & Coordination
Train operators and technicians on automated equipment and production processes.
Develop work instructions, operating procedures, and training materials.
Coordinate suppliers, integrators, contractors, and internal stakeholders during installation and commissioning activities.
Act as technical owner of automation equipment throughout its operational lifecycle.
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline.
5+ years of experience in industrial automation, robotics, manufacturing engineering, industrialization, or production-equipment development.
Experience commissioning production equipment and supporting manufacturing operations.
Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, electronics, semiconductor, or other high-reliability industries is desirable.
Experience supporting factory startup or production-line deployment is a strong advantage.
Willingness to travel for supplier visits, equipment acceptance testing, commissioning, and training.
Technical Skills
Hands-on experience developing and integrating automated manufacturing equipment.
Experience with robot programming (ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Universal Robots, Yaskawa, or similar).
Experience with PLC platforms such as Siemens, Beckhoff, Allen-Bradley, or equivalent.
Experience integrating sensors, servos, pneumatics, machine-vision systems, and industrial controls.
Experience designing mechanical fixtures, tooling, and automation equipment.
Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
Ability to read engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation.
Proficiency with workshop and fabrication tools, including machining, CNC equipment, laser cutting, 3D printing, and prototype fabrication.
Experience with Python, LabVIEW, C#, or similar programming languages is advantageous.
Familiarity with industrial safety standards, machine commissioning, and manufacturing process development.
Personal Attributes
Strong sense of ownership, accountability, and attention to detail.
Practical, hands-on engineer who enjoys building, testing, and improving real hardware.
Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, particularly under time pressure.
Confident decision-maker, capable of taking responsibility during critical test and integration activities.
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams, suppliers, customers, and external test facilities.
Entrepreneurial mindset and excitement about helping build a new facility, production line, and operational capability from the ground up.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
Willingness to work in shifts when required to support integration, production, and test activities.
Willingness to travel for business, including Dcubed GmbH offices in Munich, Germany, as well as to test campaigns and customer sites.
A US Person as defined by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
Compensation & Benefits
Salary range: $110,000 - 140,000 per year (based on experience and qualification)
Flexible PTO and sick leave
Hybrid work flexibility when applicable
Premium Coffee, Beverage, and Snack Bar at the office
Dog friendly environment
Team events
Opportunities for professional growth with a rapidly scaling aerospace company
For full-time employees:
Competitive health insurance (medical, vision, dental)
401(k), plus company matching
Discounted Pet Health Insurance
About Us
Dcubed is a fast-growing NewSpace company headquartered in Germering/Munich which accelerates space exploration through durable and affordable space hardware. Our easy-to-use and readily available space mechanisms and subsystems (solar arrays, deployable structures) have flown over a dozen times to space and are used by many of the leading space companies in the world. We are an inclusive workplace where all are welcome (f/m/d).
Equal Opportunity Employer
Dcubed is an Equal Opportunity (EO) employer and recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected status under applicable law.
This position involves access to technology that is subject to U.S. and/or Germany export controls. Any job offer made will be contingent upon the applicant's capacity to serve in compliance with U.S. and/or Germany export controls.
Please note: Dcubed does not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and will not pay fees for any candidates we have not requested.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, mechatronics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline
- 5+ years of experience in assembly, integration and test, manufacturing, testing, industrialization, or complex hardware development
- Experience with aerospace, space, defense, automotive, robotics, or other high-reliability products
- Experience supporting environmental test campaigns such as vibration, shock, thermal vacuum, deployment, or functional testing
- Experience setting up new manufacturing, integration, or test capabilities
- Hands-on experience assembling, integrating, and testing mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical systems
- Experience developing test plans, procedures, reports, work instructions, and verification documentation
- Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, integration, and test issues using structured problem-solving methods
- Experience designing and building tooling, fixtures, prototypes, and Ground Support Equipment
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, test procedures, and technical documentation
- Proficiency with CAD tools, preferably SolidWorks
- Expertise with GD&T and engineering drawing generation
- Proficiency with workshop tools and rapid prototyping, including machining, CNC, laser cutting, milling, or 3D printing
- Experience developing, documenting, and improving manufacturing or test processes
- Familiarity with cleanroom operations, ESD/FOD control, traceability, and configuration management
- Knowledge of ECSS, NASA, MIL-STD, or equivalent aerospace standards
- Willingness to travel for test campaigns, customer integration activities, training, and business travel
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by the Export Administration Regulations
What We Do
Dcubed is a German NewSpace company that develops and manufactures high-performance release actuators, mechanisms, and deployable structures for a wide range of space applications. Their mission is to make space engineering and exploration easy and accessible by providing lighter, more affordable, and reliable hardware, enabling customers to focus on exploration.
