Automation Manager

Position Overview

Strategy, Architecture & Governance

• Define PLC/HMI/SCADA/Ignition, safety-control, network, naming, code-library, backup and version-control standards.
• Govern Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000 and Beckhoff TwinCAT populations; establish lifecycle and obsolescence roadmaps.
• Own OT cybersecurity governance including segmentation, secure remote access, privilege, backup/recovery and patch coordination.

Robotics, Vision & Digital Manufacturing

• Own robotics (FANUC or ABB) standards, safety validation, uptime, recovery, program governance and critical spares.
• Govern Cognex/Keyence/other machine-vision applications, inspection integrity, recipe control and traceability.
• Sponsor historian, IIoT, digital SPC, condition monitoring and analytics use cases with Data, IT/OT and MES teams.

Launch & Operational Excellence

• Own automation FAT/SAT, controls lists, production-release criteria, run-at-rate support and safe launch escalation.
• Establish controls response model, escalation matrix, KPI cadence and permanent-corrective-action governance.
• Lead functional safety compliance to applicable ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 60204 and robot-safety requirements.

Organization, Budget & Suppliers

• Recruit, organize and develop engineers/technicians; define on-call/shift coverage and technical progression.
• Own Capex/Opex, service contracts, integrator performance, software licenses, training and spare strategy.

Enterprise, Launch & Workforce Expectations

• Safety: LOTO, guarding, interlocks, HV controls and approved work instructions.
• Quality: protect product conformity, traceability and calibrated-tool discipline; contain abnormalities and preserve objective evidence.
• Delivery: support stable flow, takt/cycle achievement and rapid, structured escalation of constraints.
• Cost: reduce scrap, rework, downtime, energy and consumable losses through data-based countermeasures.
• People: build Saudi national capability through coaching, cross-training, OJT, progression and knowledge transfer.
• Continuous improvement: participate in tier meetings, 5S, Kaizen and closed-loop corrective action.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's in controls, electrical, mechatronics, robotics or related engineering; Master's preferred.
• 10+ years in industrial automation/robotics with 5+ years leading teams.
• Demonstrated greenfield launch and high-automation automotive experience.
• EV Powertrain equipment experience.
• English fluency; Arabic is strongly preferred.
• Preferred: IEC 62443, functional-safety, robot-safety and Lean/Six Sigma credentials.
• Greenfield industrial launch and ramp-up experience.
• TPM/Autonomous Maintenance and Lean problem-solving methods.
• Experience developing local technical talent in a multicultural workforce.
• Must be able to work around automated equipment and, where authorized, high-voltage Powertrain products.

Skills

• Multi-platform PLC and industrial-network expertise.
• Robot programming/recovery and cell-safety governance.
• SCADA, historian, MES/OT and database integration.
• Functional safety and OT cybersecurity leadership.
• Executive communication, financial acumen and supplier governance.

Compensation & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays and paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan.
• Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off; salaried/exempt employees accrue up to 160 hours paid time off.
• Eligible employees may participate in Lucid's equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program.

About Lucid