Staff Automation Engineer

Founded in 2015 to develop the world’s first industrially scalable laser metal additive manufacturing solution, VulcanForms 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 Staff Automation Engineer, you will be the primary architect of the advanced automation cells and "lights-out" manufacturing strategies that power VulcanForms’ production scale. You will drive the development and deployment of production-ready engineering solutions to improve factory efficiency, throughput, and 24/7 scalability. Your goal is to simplify, standardize, and automate labor-intensive operations, providing high-performance technical leadership while fostering a culture of engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

• Identify and lead the development of engineered solutions for high-cost labor areas and low-throughput processes to increase capacity and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Act as the primary technical authority for the automation roadmap, identifying operational constraints and translating them into clear, actionable system requirements.
• Own the end-to-end development of automation solutions, from initial concept and prototyping through commissioning and stable production release.
• Lead the transition of successful prototypes into production-ready systems, ensuring designs are robust, repeatable, scalable, and safe.
• Establish and maintain engineering standards, design guidelines, and validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) to ensure systems meet factory uptime and quality expectations.
• Partner closely with Operations and Engineering teams to ensure automation cells align with real-world factory workflows and integrate seamlessly with enterprise platforms (MES, PLM, ERP).
• Provide technical mentorship and design reviews for the broader engineering team, driving the reuse and standardization of automation platforms across multiple sites.

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, factory automation, or industrial systems development within a high-stakes production environment.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Robotics Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven track record of leading the design, build, and deployment of complex automation cells from concept to 24/7 production.
• Strong hands-on expertise in industrial robotics, PLC-based control systems, vision systems, and automated material handling.
• Expert-level ability to interpret operational needs and translate them into functional, technical, and safety requirements.
• Deep understanding of manufacturability, reliability, and maintainability (DfM/DfR/DfM) within a high-precision manufacturing setting.
• Proven ability to collaborate across engineering disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Software) to drive technical alignment and project execution.

• Experience driving highly automated or "lights-out" manufacturing initiatives in an industrial/factory setting.
• Hands-on familiarity with metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) and the unique automation challenges of powder-bed fusion or post-processing.
• Experience with SCADA systems, industrial IoT (IIoT), and integrating hardware results into centralized "digital threads."

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms 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 $131,000 to $170,000.