SAEKI - Manufacturing at software speed
Europe's defense industrial base cannot respond at the speed modern conflict requires. Legacy suppliers operate on month-long timelines. Tribal knowledge is retiring. Supply chains are fragile. SAEKI is building the operating system for autonomous factories — the infrastructure that lets Europe manufacture mission-critical components at software speed.
You'll own the industrial control layer of Factory ONE: the PLC programs, HMI interfaces, and fieldbus networks that control and monitor every actuator, sensor, and safety system on the production floor. Your work is the foundation on which everything else — robots, machines, and software — depends.
The Role
As a Senior Automation Engineer (PLC), you will design, program, and commission the PLC-based control systems that form the backbone of Factory ONE's automation infrastructure. You own the real-time control logic, safety systems, HMI interfaces, and industrial networking that keep the factory running reliably.
Based on-site at Factory ONE in Munich, you'll work at the intersection of electrical engineering, industrial automation, and production operations — writing PLC code, commissioning drives, integrating sensors, and ensuring that the control layer operates flawlessly under real production conditions.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years of experience in industrial PLC programming and automation — designing, commissioning, and maintaining control systems in a production environment.
- PLC Mastery (Beckhoff): Expert-level proficiency with Beckhoff TwinCAT and IEC 61131-3 programming, especially Structured Text. You can work effectively in large, structured industrial PLC codebases.
- Industrial Networking: Hands-on experience with EtherCAT, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, or Modbus TCP, plus strong networking fundamentals (IP addressing, switching, and diagnostics).
- Safety Systems: Experience designing and commissioning safety PLCs (e.g. Beckhoff TwinSAFE, Siemens F-CPU, Pilz) in compliance with ISO 13849 and IEC 62443. You understand risk assessment and safety validation.
- HMI/SCADA: Experience building operator interfaces and visualization systems. You design screens that operators can actually use under production pressure.
- Robotics Integration: Practical experience integrating, commissioning, and troubleshooting KUKA robots in PLC-controlled production systems.
- Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals: Practical understanding of plastic 3D printing processes and production constraints.
- Electronics + Electrical Fundamentals: Ability to read and review schematics at both PCB and panel level. Comfortable with soldering, hands-on electronics debugging, and electrical panel systems (circuit breakers, power supplies, relays/contactors, and field wiring).
- Commissioning Grit: You are the person who stays until the system runs. You troubleshoot I/O failures, timing issues, and communication dropouts until everything works.
- Location: Based in Munich (on-site at Factory ONE).
- Language: Fluent in German and English.
What we're not looking for
- PLC programmers who only work from their desk. You must be comfortable on the factory floor — wiring, measuring, and commissioning.
- Automation engineers who treat PLC code as a black box separate from the wider software ecosystem. You will integrate your control systems with our Factory OS via OPC-UA and MQTT.
- People who only know one PLC platform and are unwilling to learn others. Our automation landscape will evolve.
- Engineers who resist documenting their work. Your control logic must be maintainable and auditable.
What we offer
- Mission: Rebuild the industrial sovereignty of the West. Your work directly enables the production of mission-critical hardware for defense and space.
- Total Ownership: High-stakes autonomy in your domain. You own both the problems and the solutions — and have the authority to execute.
- The Environment: Access to a 5,000m² state-of-the-art facility featuring 5-axis CNCs, industrial robots, and large-scale 3D printers. Your work runs on real hardware from day one.
- The Team: "Special Forces" model. Everyone senior, everyone ships. No politics, no bureaucracy. Direct feedback, high standards.
- Compensation: Competitive salary + meaningful equity.
- Location: Zurich HQ or Factory ONE in Munich, depending on role. Hybrid options available where applicable.
Apply
- Resume: Focus on systems you've built and owned.
- GitHub/Portfolio: Show us work you're proud of — code, machines, or production systems.
- Cover letter: Why this mission? Why now? What would you build first?