Automation Manufacturing Engineer

About Pacific Fusion

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulsed magnetic fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders.

Why This Role Matters

The

Automation Manufacturing Engineer

is responsible for evaluating current manual processes, identifying automation opportunities, designing and implementing robust solutions, and supporting the transition from manual to semi- or fully-automated manufacturing. This role is ideal for someone with strong factory-floor instincts, who understands how to build automation in the real world—not just on paper—and who thrives in a fast-moving, build-focused environment. In this role your work will optimize processes and enable production employees, engineers and scientists across the organization as they bring our demonstration system online.

What You'll Do

- Analyze current manufacturing processes to identify automation opportunities that reduce labor and increase throughput, consistency, and yield.

- Design, implement, and validate scalable automation solutions including fixturing, electromechanical equipment, vision systems, PLCs, and robotic cells.

- Collaborate with design engineering to influence product DFM/DFA (Design for Manufacturability/Automation) to ease automation integration.

- Specify, source, and deploy off-the-shelf or custom automation equipment including conveyors, actuators, robotics, inspection stations, and tooling.

- Own automation projects from concept through commissioning: requirements gathering, vendor selection, integration, installation, debug, and ramp.

- Write and maintain documentation for equipment setup, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

- Support process development and initial production, with a focus on root cause analysis and continuous improvement.

- Partner closely with area managers, manufacturing technicians, mechanical engineers, and quality to ensure equipment performance aligns with production goals.

What You Bring

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or related equivalent experience in this field.

- 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering or automation in a high-mix, low- to medium-volume production environment.

- Hands-on experience developing and integrating automation equipment, including mechanical and control systems (pneumatics, motion control, sensors).

- Experience with robotic arms (e.g., UR, Fanuc, ABB), end-of-arm tooling, and collaborative automation.Strong CAD proficiency (e.g., PTC Creo) and ability to design tooling and fixturing.

- Demonstrated capability with PLCs, industrial communication protocols, and control systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, etc.).

- Solid understanding of process validation, process capability, and yield improvement methodologies and dashboard reporting showing system health.

- Track record of implementing automation projects that measurably improved labor efficiency and quality.

- Experience managing external automation integrators or machine builders.

- Comfortable operating in an evolving, ambiguous, and cross-functional startup environment.

Bonus Points For

- Background in electromechanical product assembly or electronics manufacturing.

- Proficiency with Twincat, Python or similar scripting languages for automation/data acquisition.

- Familiarity with MES, SCADA, or factory data collection tools.

Pay Range

$147,700—$221,600 USD

Benefits

- Industry-competitive salary

- Equity plan

- 6% employer 401k matching

- Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)

- Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know. Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.