Automation Engineering Manager Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

Amperesand is disrupting industrial power with the first commercialized Solid State Transformer systems. Solid State Transformer systems are much more than a transformer replacement, enabling numerous advanced features to unlock solutions for data centers, EV charging, renewables, microgrids, and industrial installations. We are looking for mission-driven team members passionate about making amazing products for worldwide electrification at maximum acceleration. Amperesand is building a global company and looking for talent across our geographies.

We are seeking a highly skilled and passionate Senior Automation Controls Engineer to lead the design and development of advanced automation equipment and assembly lines as we scale our hardware product portfolio. In this role, you will drive cross-functional initiatives to bring innovative hardware solutions from concept through to full-scale production. Collaborating closely with manufacturing and mechanical design teams, you will define and implement robust machine and process architecture.

Responsibilities include developing comprehensive electrical and pneumatic schematics, leading the programming and integration of control systems-including PLCs, safety systems, HMIs, servo drives, process instrumentation, and robotics-from initial power-up through debugging, optimization, and final validation.

This role presents a unique opportunity to influence product design from its earliest stages and champion design for automation as a foundational principle. It is a rare and valuable learning experience for a controls engineer to be embedded so deeply in both product and manufacturing development.

• Lead the conceptual development of new equipment, balancing product specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality, and lead-time constraints
• Design and implement control-reliable safety systems in compliance with ANSI/RIA R15.06 and OSHA standards for safeguarding robots, gantries, conveyors, and other high-throughput manufacturing systems
• Develop, structure, and debug PLC logic with a strong emphasis on code architecture, documentation, maintainability, and long-term reusability
• Design and debug software for subsystems including robotics, vision systems, test equipment, and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
• Contribute to the creation of specifications and internal standards, manage technical documentation for vendor release, and perform detailed quote evaluations
• Select and size electrical and electromechanical components for optimal system integration and performance
• Design intuitive and visually clean HMI interfaces for complex machinery, ensuring effective operator feedback and streamlined troubleshooting
• Design industrial electrical control panels in accordance with NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A standards, and generate comprehensive electrical, pneumatic, and fluid schematics
• Oversee electrical cabinet fabrication, field wiring, and the installation of pneumatic and fluid systems
• Lead the introduction of automated processes into production environments and train maintenance and operations teams to ensure long-term support and sustainability
• Build and test internally built equipment to be deployed at contract manufacturers

• Engineering degree (Bachelor's or Master's) in Electrical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Computer Engineering 
• 5+ years driving Controls Engineering initiatives, with deep expertise in DFA, process development, and high-mix/high-volume production environments
• Proven hands-on experience across diverse manufacturing processes - injection molding, die casting, machining, potting, power electronics assembly, and automation
• Track record leading large-scale capital equipment design projects from concept to deployment
• Expertise in data collection, statistical analysis (SPC), and data visualization/SCADA platforms such as Ignition; fluent in industrial protocols including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, and RS-232/485
• Demonstrated mastery of standard and safety PLC programming, with hands-on experience in Allen Bradley Studio 5000 and Beckhoff TwinCAT 3; Siemens TIA Portal proficiency a strong plus
• Skilled in industrial robot programming across Kuka and ABB platforms; Fanuc experience especially valued
• Experience commissioning servo systems using Rockwell Kinetix and Beckhoff Drive Manager 2; Siemens SIMATIC strongly preferred
• Proven ability to develop and deploy 2D/3D vision systems using Cognex In-Sight and LMI Gocator; Keyence XG-X experience a plus
• Strong command of industrial safety and electrical standards, including ANSI/RIA R15.06, OSHA regulations, NFPA 79, NEC, and UL 508A
• Skilled at leading cross-functional teams and managing vendor relationships to deliver results
• Deep expertise in motion control, pneumatics, hydraulics, and sensor integration
• Experience in Agile development environments, including sprint planning and task management using Scrum methodologies and tools like Jira
• Willingness to travel 20-25%, including internationally
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Certified Functional Safety Expert or Professional (ISO 13849)
• Demonstrated proficiency in CAD software (3DEXPERIENCE (3DX), CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, Creo, etc.) for designing mechanical assemblies
• Valued expertise in Power Electronics Assembly from energy storage and conversion, automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, or consumer electronics manufacturing
• Proven experience with assembly line simulation software (FlexSim, Rockwell Arena, Dassault DELMIA, Siemens Process Simulate)
• Skilled in designing NFPA 79 compliant Electrical Cabinets and Industrial Machines