REEcycle · 5 hours ago
Senior Automation Engineer
Houston, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
8+ years expREEcycle is a Houston-based pioneer in the recycling of rare earth elements (REEs) from end-of-life permanent magnets. They are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead the engineering team, optimize proprietary systems, and ensure the successful deployment and commercialization of their Drive Disassembly Machine (DDM).
Recycling
Responsibilities
Lead engineering team on scaling a Mechatronic System
Lead and mange project and team across all aspects from R&D to commercial scale implementation
Develop deep working knowledge of the company’s proprietary machinery, which integrates hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical assemblies, and PLC-based control systems
Serve as the primary internal engineering point of contact, being a thought leader and systems-level problem-solver across all technical aspects of the process and system
Understand how the various mechanical and electrical sub-systems interact, including solenoid valves, pneumatic actuators, linear guides, hydraulic pumps and cylinders, sensors, and control logic
When issues arise (e.g. unexpected machine behavior), lead root-cause analysis and coordinate troubleshooting, drawing from hands-on diagnostics, system logs, or vendor input as required
Manage the work of outside automation and systems integration firms, ensuring their deliverables align with system requirements, certification goals, and project timelines
Provide clear technical direction, evaluate engineering trade-offs, and ensure that outsourced work aligns with the company’s product roadmap and constraints
Lead efforts to evolve the current prototype into a commercially robust, scalable, and compliant system
Ensure the design meets manufacturing, field servicing, and certification requirements (e.g. UL, CE), including documentation, BOM finalization, and design-for-assembly
Support and monitor deployments, ensuring field performance aligns with expectations
Capture real-world feedback to inform design improvements and de-risk future production runs
Collaborate with operations and supply chain teams to plan for small-batch production, including component sourcing, assembly workflows, and QA/QC processes
Help qualify external manufacturers and assess production feasibility and cost-efficiency
Navigate ambiguity and operate autonomously as the primary in-house engineer, supported by technical advisors and outside collaborators
Balance strategic systems thinking with a willingness to roll up your sleeves when needed, bridging business goals and technical execution
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, Robotics, or Manufacturing disciplines)
8+ years of progressive experience in engineering, product development, or manufacturing environments
2+ years of engineering leadership experience, managing teams and driving project execution
Proven ability to lead end-to-end equipment manufacturing projects, including planning, budgeting, scheduling, and vendor coordination
Strong proficiency in CAD platforms, specifically SolidWorks
In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, industrial materials, design for manufacturability, and supply chain logistics
Track record of successfully managing small, cross-functional teams toward technical milestones and deliverables
Preferred
Proven project management experience delivering complex engineering initiatives on time and within budget while coordinating multidisciplinary teams and external partners
Experience taking custom/prototype industrial machinery from concept to commercialization
Familiarity with relevant compliance standards and certification pathways (e.g. UL, CE marking, electrical/mechanical safety standards)
Comfort working in agile or fast-moving hardware development environments
Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to bridge technical and business functions
Ability to grow and lead the procurement and development teams, with experience reporting directly to senior management and the C-Suite
Benefits
Health insurance
Dental and vision
Other benefits
Company
REEcycle
REEcycle is a Houston based company reclaiming materials known as rare earth elements from recycled electronics.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$6.15MKey Investors
U.S. Department of DefenseNational Science Foundation
2025-06-23Series Unknown
2025-01-17Grant· $5.1M
2016-11-07Grant· $0.9M
Leadership Team
Casey McNeil
Co-Founder/CEO
Recent News
EIN Presswire
2025-11-22
Company data provided by crunchbase