About the Company
Our client is a U.S.-based nuclear fuel company focused on designing, building, and operating low-cost uranium enrichment services domestically. Its mission is to restore America’s ability to produce nuclear fuel for AI, advanced manufacturing, critical industries, and next-generation nuclear reactors. Backed by leading investors, the company brings a first-principles engineering approach and a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency to scaling domestic nuclear fuel production.
About the Role
As an Automation and Controls Engineer on the Manufacturing team, you will build automation test stands and assembly processes and integrate the systems and robots operating the manufacturing floor, including material-loading robots, automated feed lines, and assembly stations. You will own equipment and processes from concept through commissioning, ensuring reliable, repeatable, on-time performance. This is a hands-on role supporting the scale-up of domestic nuclear fuel production.
Responsibilities
· Design, build, and commission automation test stands and assembly-process equipment for the manufacturing floor.
· Integrate and program automated systems and industrial robots, including material-loading robots, automated feed lines, and assembly stations.
· Develop PLC, HMI, and motion-control systems and support electrical and pneumatic hardware for production equipment.
· Partner with Manufacturing to turn process requirements into reliable, repeatable automated workflows.
· Troubleshoot, debug, and continuously improve automated equipment to maximize uptime, throughput, and safety.
· Develop and maintain equipment documentation, control logic, and standard operating procedures.
· Work with Manufacturing, Engineering, and Supply Chain to specify, source, and deploy new automation equipment on schedule.
Basic Qualifications
· 4–6 years of experience in automation, controls, or manufacturing engineering (relevant internship or co-op experience considered).
· Hands-on experience programming and integrating PLCs, HMIs, and industrial robots (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, or similar).
· Experience designing, building, or commissioning automated equipment such as test stands, feed lines, or assembly stations.
· Working knowledge of electrical, pneumatic, and motion-control systems, with troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, and software domains.
· Proactive communicator who documents work clearly and collaborates effectively on the manufacturing floor.
· Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, or a related engineering field, or equivalent experience.
· U.S. citizenship required for export-controlled and national-security-systems work.
Preferred Skills and Experience
· Robotic integration and automation for high-mix or high-volume manufacturing.
· SCADA, industrial networking, machine vision, and safety systems such as light curtains, emergency stops, and interlocks.
· Experience in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, nuclear, or another highly regulated industry.
· Familiarity with NIST, NRC, or ATO/cATO compliance frameworks.
· Human-in-the-loop simulation and virtual commissioning to validate operator-equipment interactions before deployment.
Additional Requirements
Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.
Compensation and Benefits
Estimated annual base salary: $130,000–$180,000. Compensation depends on role, level, location, market alignment, skills, education, experience, technical capabilities, and internal equity; the range may change based on market or business conditions. Full-time hires may also be eligible for long-term stock-option incentives, medical, vision, and dental coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The employer provides equal employment opportunity based on merit, competence, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.