---
title: 'Sr Staff Engineer, Automation Controls at Sila'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/sr-staff-engineer-automation-controls-sila-alameda-388ymas20gz0'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-08'
---

# Sr Staff Engineer, Automation Controls at Sila

- **Company:** Sila
- **Location:** Alameda, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-08
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/silananotechnologies/jobs/8165485

## Job description

## About Us

We are Sila, a next-generation battery materials company. Our mission is to power the world’s transition to clean energy. To create this future, our team is building a better lithium-ion battery from the inside out today. We engineer and manufacture ground-breaking battery materials that significantly increase the energy density of batteries, while reducing their size and weight. The result? Smaller more powerful batteries that can unlock innovation in consumer devices and accelerate the mass adoption of electric cars to eliminate our dependence on fossil fuels. We're tackling one of the biggest challenges of our time every day, and together we're redefining what's possible. Are you ready to be a part of a team committed to changing the world?

## Who You Are

As a Senior Staff Automation Controls Engineer at Sila, you will architect, design, and deploy robust, deterministic machine control software and electrical subsystems for complex, production-scale materials processing equipment. You will bridge cross-functional teams—from scientists to shop-floor technicians—to build high-reliability, first-of-a-kind industrial automation platforms.

## Responsibilities and Duties

- Architecture & System Design: Lead the strategy, software architecture, and electrical design for modular, deterministic, and scalable control systems. Define engineering standards and specifications for novel capital equipment.
- Software & Automation Engineering: Architect HMI software and write robust PLC code primarily in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3). Implement industrial Fieldbus protocols (EtherCAT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus) and batch/safety standards (ISA-88, IEC 61151, SIS).
- Electrical & Hardware Design: Design electrical schematics, power distribution, control panels, and network architectures. Apply deep knowledge of AC/DC power, analog signals, control wiring, and functional safety systems.
- Execution, Validation & Quality: Drive projects end-to-end through system integration, advanced troubleshooting, and formal validation (FAT/SAT). Generate comprehensive, high-quality technical documentation for both software and hardware.
- Leadership & Cross-Functional Alignment: Drive technical engagements with strategic vendors and collaborate with research scientists, engineers, and technicians. Mentor mid- and junior-level controls engineers to promote engineering rigor and best practices.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

- Experience: 10+ years of industry experience deploying mission-critical industrial automation systems and capital equipment.
- Education: B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
- Preferred Domain Exposure: Experience with complex materials processing involving high technical risk (e.g., extreme temperatures/pressures, unforgiving chemistry, or strict uptime requirements).

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

- Wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to, a lab coat, gloves, safety glasses, and steel toe safety shoes
- Move items up to 50 lbs with the assistance of lift equipment and carts
- Move long distances (such as from building to building) and be stationary for extended periods of time
- Operate a computer and other office equipment, such as a laptop, copier/printer, etc in a fixed location

The starting base pay for this role is between $172,000 and $218,000 at the time of posting. The actual base pay depends on many factors, such as education, experience, and skills. Base pay is only one part of Sila’s competitive Total Rewards package that can include benefits, perks, equity, and bonuses.  The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

#LI-PL1 #LI-Onsite

Working at Sila

We believe that building a diverse team at Sila helps us amplify our individual talents. We are an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment where good ideas are free to come from anyone. We are proud to celebrate diversity and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, national origin, or any other status protected by law.

## About Sila

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Sila develops and manufactures next-generation silicon anode materials that dramatically improve the energy density and fast-charge capability of lithium-ion batteries.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series G – $375M raised in close of Series G round)
- **Headquarters**: Alameda, California, USA
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Gene Berdichevsky (CEO), Gleb Yushin (CTO), Alex Jacobs (VP, Engineering)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Battery materials / Advanced manufacturing / Clean energy
- **Target customers**: B2B – automotive OEMs (Mercedes-Benz, BMW), consumer electronics makers (WHOOP), and cell manufacturers
- **Mission / purpose**: “Power the world’s transition to clean energy” by delivering high-performance battery materials that require less mining, produce less CO₂, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

## Products & Services
- **Titan Silicon® Anode**: A drop-in silicon anode material that provides exceptional energy density and fast-charge improvements for any lithium-ion battery application. Already shipping in millions of devices (e.g., WHOOP 4.0).
- **Battery Engineering Services**: A collaborative service that works with OEMs and cell suppliers to define and deliver optimized cell performance using Sila’s materials.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total funding exceeds $1B (including a $600M Series F in 2021, a $375M Series G close, and a $100M U.S. Department of Energy grant)
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Panasonic Energy, REC Silicon (long-term supply agreement), and the U.S. DOE (ARPA‑E)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Commenced operations at a 600,000+ sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, Washington – the first and largest silicon anode plant in the western world.
  - Over 250 patents filed and pending worldwide.
  - Headcount of ~410 employees (LinkedIn, 2026), with 80% in the U.S. and strong technical hiring (40 active job postings, +25% quarterly growth).
  - Already powering millions of devices in the market (WHOOP).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Foundational IP**: Invented by co‑founder and CTO Prof. Gleb Yushin (Georgia Tech), with a deep patent portfolio covering the low‑swell silicon anode chemistry and cell recipes.
- **Proven at scale**: Only advanced battery materials company with both GWh‑scale production and millions of products in the field.
- **Strategic partnerships**: Long‑term agreements with top automotive and consumer electronics brands, de‑risking future adoption.
- **U.S. supply chain focus**: Moses Lake plant strengthens domestic battery manufacturing, reducing reliance on foreign supply.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scale production**: Continue building out the Moses Lake facility and prepare for global deployment of Titan Silicon.
- **Deepen OEM integration**: Work closely with partners like Mercedes‑Benz (EQG will be the first car powered by Sila material) to enable product‑level differentiation.
- **Expand applications**: Move beyond automotive and wearable into grid storage, power tools, and other lithium‑ion‑powered devices.
- **Sustainability**: Reduce mining and CO₂ emissions across the battery value chain.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Do great work with good people” – a collaborative, humble, and ambitious environment focused on solving hard technical challenges.
- **Diversity & Inclusion**: Equal opportunity employer with active Employee Resource Groups; DEI seen as a force multiplier for innovation.
- **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical/dental/vision, 401k with partial match up to $5,000, employee stock options (ISOs), generous parental leave, subsidized lunch, well‑stocked kitchen, charitable giving, and a pet‑friendly office (“Pups” program).
- **Work environment**: Primarily on‑site at the Alameda HQ or Moses Lake manufacturing plant; engineering culture emphasizes cross‑disciplinary teamwork in chemistry, materials science, and manufacturing.
- **Impact**: Contribute directly to the clean energy transition by commercializing breakthrough battery materials.

## Sources
1. [silanano.com](https://www.silanano.com/)
2. [silanano.com/about-us](https://www.silanano.com/about-us)
3. [silanano.com/careers](https://www.silanano.com/careers)
4. [silanano.com/culture](https://www.silanano.com/culture)
5. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/sila-nanotechnologies-inc-)

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