AME Equipment Engineer - Controls
Harbinger
Garden Grove, CA, USA
USD 140k-160k / year + Equity
Posted on Oct 10, 2025
About Harbinger
Harbinger is an American commercial electric vehicle (EV) company on a mission to transform an industry starving for innovation. Harbinger’s best-in-class team of EV, battery, and drivetrain experts have pooled their deep experience to bring a first-of-its-kind EV platform to support the growing demand for medium-duty EVs and Hybrids. Harbinger: Familiar Form, Revolutionary Foundation.
Position Overview
We are seeking an AME Equipment Engineer - Controls to lead the design, development, programming, and commissioning of robust control systems for our cutting-edge Advanced Manufacturing Equipment. This role is central to Harbinger's Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team and involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to optimize production processes and integrate advanced automation technologies as we rapidly scale to high-volume production.
What You'll Do:
- Controls System Architecture: Design, develop, and deploy the entire control system architecture, including PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), HMI (Human-Machine Interface), and SCADA systems for all AME equipment and integrated manufacturing processes.
- Automation Integration: Program and integrate complex automation technologies across the facility, specifically focusing on systems like robotic welding/joining, high-speed conveyance, Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), large mechanical presses, precision dispensing, and advanced machine vision applications.
- Electrical Design & Safety: Design robust electrical control systems, develop detailed wiring diagrams and schematics (EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical), and ensure all systems adhere to critical industrial safety standards (ANSI/RIA 15.06, ISO 13849).
- Data & MES Integration: Define and implement robust methods for data acquisition and transfer between equipment control systems and the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for tracking OEE, quality metrics, process variables, and production history.
- Project Execution: Lead the controls-related aspects of equipment projects from concept through final site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, and production ramp-up, managing vendors and project timelines effectively.
- Troubleshooting & OEE: Provide hands-on, expert-level technical support for the manufacturing and maintenance teams to quickly diagnose and resolve complex electrical, software, and networking issues to maximize equipment OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness).
- Standardization & Documentation: Define and maintain a structured methodology for PLC code standards, version control, backups, and comprehensive electrical/software documentation across the entire manufacturing footprint
Who You Are:
- Experience: 5-8+ years of hands-on experience as a Controls or Automation Engineer, with a significant focus on high-volume manufacturing automation in the automotive EV or related high-speed sector.
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
- PLC/HMI Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in programming, troubleshooting, and configuring industrial PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff) and HMI/SCADA platforms.
- Robotics/Vision: Direct experience with programming and integrating industrial robotics (FANUC, KUKA, ABB) and implementing machine vision systems (Cognex, Keyence) for quality inspection, guidance, and error-proofing.
- Networking & Protocols: Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, EtherCAT) and the integration of control systems with higher-level plant MES systems.
- Safety Expertise: Deep knowledge of controls-reliable safety systems design and implementation, including safety PLCs and risk assessment procedures.
- Skills: Proficiency in electrical CAD software (AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN). Strong analytical, structured problem-solving (e.g., 8D, 5 Why), and project management skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally to support equipment FATs (Factory Acceptance Tests) and commissioning.
- Preferably, experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Preferably, experience with precision BIW joining processes or battery/powertrain controls
Key Benefits & Perks:
- Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision (HDV) – 100% employee covered
- Early-stage Stock Options
- Robust Retirement Savings (401k, HSA, FSA)
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) & Parental Leave
- Annual Vacation Bonus
- Wellness & Fertility Benefits
- Cell Phone Stipend
- Complimentary Meals & Stocked Kitchens
California Pay Range
$140,000—$160,000 USD
Equal Opportunity
Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harbinger is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at info@harbingermotors.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Harbinger may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Harbinger may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Harbinger may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our HR, legal, and finance teams, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Harbinger affiliates; and (iii) Harbinger’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Harbinger may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.
Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Harbinger and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Harbinger unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.