---
title: 'Automation Engineer at Peak Energy'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/automation-engineer-peak-energy-burlingame-1ga3nxje5qxa'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-04'
---

# Automation Engineer at Peak Energy

- **Company:** Peak Energy
- **Location:** Burlingame, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-08-18
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-04
- **Apply:** https://peakenergy.com/get-in-touch/careers/jobs?job_id=5215391007&gh_jid=5215391007

## Job description

Automation Engineer

Location: Burlingame, CA (some remote work acceptable)

Reports to: Head of Automation

## About the Company

Peak Energy is an American venture setting the standard in low-cost, giga-scale storage for the new era of clean, affordable, and reliable energy. Our leadership team is powered by decades of expertise in scaling giga-watt-level innovation at world-class companies such as Tesla, Northvolt, SunPower, Fluence, and Enovix. We are backed by strategic investment and product partners TDK, ATL, Eclipse Ventures, and Doral Energy.

Pioneering US-based vertical integration of Sodium-Ion Battery Energy Storage in partnership with leading Independent Power Producers and utilities. We are a team of engineers, operators, entrepreneurs, and partners driven by a shared ambition to set the performance standard for renewable energy and grid resilience.

## About the Job

Peak Energy is looking for an experienced Automation Engineer to help build and run the automation behind a new generation of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems and automation solutions that ensure the efficiency, safety, and quality of our BESS products, and will use AI as a force multiplier to do it.

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a modern factory is automated. Peak is embracing AI and large language models (LLMs) to automate automation: generating and updating PLC and HMI code, eliminating mundane programming, and assessing faults and stops through smart machine monitoring. You will help Peak push AI enablement well beyond Controls Engineering into adjacent disciplines such as electrical panel design, and you will bring the experience to know when AI is implementing correctly and when it needs monitoring.

Responsibilities:

- Drive AI-assisted controls development: Apply AI and LLM-based tools to generate, refactor, document, and update PLC (IEC 61131-3 / Beckhoff TwinCAT) and HMI code, and automate repetitive, mundane programming tasks to shorten development and commissioning cycles.
- Connect AI to the control layer: Integrate AI agents and LLM tooling with PLC and HMI environments, enabling them to read from and make controlled changes to PLC programs and HMI projects through secure, version-controlled, auditable workflows (source control, code review, and staged deployment).
- Enable smart machine monitoring and troubleshooting: Troubleshoot control system issues and perform routine maintenance, using AI-driven analysis of PLC, HMI, and machine data to detect faults, assess problems and stops, and identify root causes faster, reducing downtime and driving continuous improvement.
- Extend AI beyond controls: Push AI enablement into adjacent spaces such as electrical panel design, schematics and I/O list generation, test scripts, commissioning documentation, and operator and maintenance training materials.
- Validate and govern AI output: Review AI-generated work for correctness, safety, and compliance; define testing, simulation, and approval practices; and ensure AI-driven changes never bypass safety-rated functions or change-management controls.
- Share best practices: Establish and communicate guardrails, templates, and effective prompting practices for AI-assisted engineering, and coach peers across Controls, Equipment, and Maintenance in using them well.
- Acquire manufacturing equipment for BESS. Responsibilities include developing equipment specifications, issuing purchase orders, providing critical input during design reviews, participating in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs), and overseeing equipment commissioning.
- Design and develop control systems for BESS manufacturing processes, including PLCs, SCADA, HMI, and other automation technologies, to optimize production and ensure quality.
- Analyze production processes and identify opportunities for automation and control improvements to enhance efficiency and product quality.
- Implement data acquisition systems to collect and analyze data from various stages of BESS production, using this information to make informed decisions and drive process improvements.
- Develop and maintain safety systems, such as emergency shutdown procedures and safety interlocks, and ensure control systems adhere to industry, safety, and regulatory standards applicable to BESS manufacturing, to provide a secure working environment.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including Process Engineers, Equipment Engineers, and Maintenance, to integrate automation solutions into manufacturing equipment, ensuring efficient and precise control of the production process, alignment with production needs, and support for the scaling of new BESS technologies.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Hands-on experience using AI and LLM tools (such as AI coding assistants and agents) in an engineering workflow, with demonstrated judgment to recognize when AI is implementing correctly and when it needs monitoring and correction.
- Enthusiasm for pioneering new ways of working with AI, and the curiosity and initiative to apply it across engineering disciplines while adapting to new technologies and industry trends.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Control Systems, or a related field). A Master's degree is a plus.
- Proven experience in controls and automation engineering within BESS manufacturing or a related industry, with strong knowledge of BESS manufacturing processes and control systems.
- Proficiency in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and HMI design, with functional safety fundamentals sufficient to critically review, test, and validate AI-generated code before it reaches production equipment.
- Experience using Beckhoff PLCs (TwinCAT v3) and Ignition by Inductive Automation for data acquisition.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, communication, and teamwork abilities.
- Knowledge of environmental and safety regulations related to control systems and automation in BESS manufacturing.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git) and scripting (e.g., Python) for automating engineering workflows.
- Familiarity with industrial data and communication interfaces (e.g., OPC UA, ADS, MQTT) used to connect AI and analytics tools to controls systems.

The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $190,000, with actual pay varying based on work location, experience, and skills. At Peak Energy, we value our employees and promote work-life balance. Our competitive benefits package includes unlimited PTO, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, a strong 401(k) plan, and equity opportunities. Join us to thrive in a supportive environment while making a meaningful impact in the energy sector!

At Peak Energy Technologies Inc., we believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace makes us a more capable, innovative, and competitive company. We welcome people who represent diversity in their backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. Peak Energy Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, aiming to reach our company's full potential by cultivating an inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, marital or family status, disability, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Peak Energy Core Values

Speed Through Focus: Prioritize what matters most and execute quickly without distractions.

Mission Over Self: Put the company's mission and team success ahead of individual interests.

Face the Brutal Truth: Embrace honesty, even when it's uncomfortable, to make informed decisions.

Be a Good Person: Treat everyone with respect and integrity, fostering a positive and ethical work environment.

## About Peak Energy

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Peak Energy designs and deploys next-generation sodium-ion energy storage systems for grid-scale and AI data center applications, offering the world’s first fully passive, drop-in compatible battery storage solution.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A – $55M raised in June 2024)
- **Headquarters**: Burlingame, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2023
- **Founders**: Landon Mossburg (CEO), Paul Durkee (CTO), Brandon Kelly (Chief Scientist)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Energy storage / Battery technology / Grid infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Utilities, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), AI data center operators, grid operators (B2B, enterprise)
- **Mission or purpose**: Deliver the lowest cost electron to the grid, enabling the next era of AI, electrification, and renewable power through abundant, reliable, and domestically manufactured energy storage.

## Products & Services
- **Peak Passive Grid‑Scale Storage System**: A sodium‑ion battery energy storage system (BESS) designed for 20+ year life with zero scheduled maintenance, no augmentation, and passive thermal management. Drop‑in compatible with existing BESS installations, requiring no new installation crews or EMS integration playbooks. Achieves higher round‑trip efficiency (more power to GPUs) and lower total cost of ownership (claimed $75/kWh savings through minimal opex). Fully 48E ITC compliant. Deployed in partnership with nine of the largest U.S. IPPs and utilities.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding of **$65M** ($10M seed in October 2023, $55M Series A in June 2024)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Investors not publicly named; key partners include **GM** (partnership to scale next-gen energy storage), **Jupiter Power** (4.75 GWh contract signed November 2025), and nine of the largest IPPs/utilities in the U.S.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - First grid‑scale sodium‑ion system deployed in Colorado (August 2025) – world’s first passively cooled system.
  - Over 10 months of operating deployments; 9‑customer pilot completed.
  - **6+ GWh contracted through 2030** (including 4.75 GWh with Jupiter Power).
  - Scaling plan: 5 deployments in 2026, 1 GWh in 2027; U.S. factory (4 GWh capacity) planned for Q1 2027 SOP.
  - Signed agreement to deploy MISO’s first sodium‑ion grid storage battery (March 2026).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Lowest total cost of ownership** – passive cooling eliminates fan/chiller failures, no scheduled maintenance, no augmentation, reducing opex significantly.
- **Sodium‑ion chemistry** – uses abundant, domestically available materials, reducing supply chain risk and improving safety.
- **Drop‑in compatibility** – works with existing BESS infrastructure, lowering adoption barriers for utilities and IPPs.
- **Vertically integrated U.S. manufacturing** – from cell to delivered project, strengthening domestic supply chain and creating jobs.
- **Proven reliability** – 99.999% uptime target; operating deployments since mid‑2025.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale up manufacturing** – build a 4 GWh U.S. factory (2027) and expand deployment pipeline toward 1 GWh/year.
- **Target AI data centers** – collapse 4‑7 year interconnect queues by providing immediate, reliable power for GPU clusters (claims 441 trillion additional tokens/year over 20‑year project life).
- **Long‑term integration** – eventually move into generation, transmission, and distribution (phase 3 strategy post‑2028).
- **Deepen utility/IPP partnerships** – continue signing long‑term offtake contracts (already 6+ GWh through 2030).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & values**: “Be a good Person” is a core value; emphasis on purpose‑driven work, solving foundational energy problems, and moving fast with real‑world impact.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with company match, flexible PTO, generous parental leave, employer‑paid life/disability/income protection, mental health & wellness programs, free lunches, pet‑friendly offices, free EV charging (Burlingame office), cell phone reimbursement, commuter benefits.
- **Locations**: Offices in Burlingame (CA) and Denver (CO); hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated but on‑site presence expected for engineering and manufacturing roles.
- **Growth trajectory**: Headcount has doubled over the past year; company is in rapid scaling phase (from pilot to commercial deployments). Open roles include engineering, manufacturing, finance, and sales (27+ positions listed on Greenhouse and LinkedIn as of mid‑2026).
- **Team**: Core team assembled from Tesla, Northvolt, Enovix, Lyft, Uber, Solid Power; strong technical depth in battery and energy systems.

## Sources
1. [peakenergy.com – About](https://peakenergy.com/company/about)
2. [peakenergy.com – Careers](https://peakenergy.com/get-in-touch/careers)
3. [LinkedIn – Peak Energy](https://www.linkedin.com/company/peakenergytech)
4. [CB Insights – Peak Energy](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/peak-energy-2)
5. [PR Newswire – Peak Signs 4.75 GWh Contract with Jupiter Power (Nov 2025)](https://peakenergy.com/)
6. [PR Newswire – Peak Signs Agreement to Deploy MISO’s First Sodium-Ion Grid Storage Battery (Mar 2026)](https://peakenergy.com/)
7. [Bloomberg – Peak Energy Secures $55 Million (Mar 2026)](https://peakenergy.com/)

## Other roles at Peak Energy

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