Moss, Norway
Head of Industrial Automation
Target start date: Immediately. Relocation provided. (Please kindly send your resume in English.)
We are at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for real-world applications. Our mission is to revolutionize manufacturing through safe, intelligent automation. As we transition from R&D to full-scale production, we are seeking an experienced Head of Industrial Automation to lead our internal Production Engineering team.
In this leadership role, you will be responsible for ideating, designing, developing, and delivering high-precision, bespoke automation solutions that streamline the assembly and production testing of our next-generation bipedal humanoid robots, as well as critical components like motors and rope drive systems. Your innovative solutions will enhance the speed, reliability, and consistency of these processes. This position requires a deep expertise in automation ideation, design and implementation, including equipment selection, custom component design, PLC programming, and establishing industrial robot-enabled cells (such as FANUC, KUKA, ABB) while ensuring strict safety compliance. You will be asked to build and scale a team of Production Solutions Engineers (Automation Engineers) and take on projects as the business requires to step up the efficiency of select parts of the assembly process.
In this role you will have the following key responsibilities
- Creative leadership: Drive the vision for production automation at 1X, leading a team of engineers in the ideation and iteration of unique automation solutions tailored to our manufacturing needs
- Hands-on development: Actively engage in the design, development, and delivery of high-precision automation solutions, ensuring that systems are robust and efficient
- Cross-functional collaboration: Collaborate closely with Quality, Supply Chain, and Production teams to ensure that automation designs meet Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) principles, delivering the required reliability and repeatability.
- Documentation oversight: Oversee all automation system designs and related documentation, ensuring that engineering practices adhere to industry standards
- Mentorship and guidance: Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement by mentoring team members in advanced automation technologies and problem-solving approaches
- Design for Assembly: collaborate with the HW engineering team to make suggestion on how to adapt the design of the product to fit an automated-/high-throughput production process / processes
Why this job is exciting
Every day is different! You will get to
- Every day presents new challenges, allowing you to develop cutting-edge automation solutions that will shape the future of humanoid robot production
- Play a pivotal role in pioneering automation technology within the robotics industry, ensuring our production systems are optimised for efficiency and quality
- Gain direct experience with industrial robotics, PLCs, and advanced automation technologies while guiding a skilled team toward successful outcomes
- Thrive in an inclusive, supportive, and globally diverse culture that values collaboration and creativity.
Within one month, you will…
- Familiarize yourself with our production processes, automation systems, and methodologies
- Gain an understanding of our humanoid platform (NEO) and the roadmap for scaling its assembly process
- Begin evaluating existing automation solutions and identifying areas for improvement in assembly speed and reliability
Within three months, you will…
- Lead the design and commissioning of new automation solutions, including PLC programming and robotic cell integration
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure automation designs adhere to DFMA principles and meet performance requirements
- Take ownership of all automation system designs, ensuring proper documentation practices are followed
Within one year, you will…
- Establish yourself as the leading expert for designing and implementing advanced automation solutions across various production environments
- Lead production activities, including prototype builds and serial production trials, ensuring that your automation systems meet high standards of quality and efficiency
REQUIREMENTS
Must-Haves:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Controls, or Industrial Engineering
- 4+ years in industrial automation, manufacturing, testing, or design engineering roles. Experience from student project teams or internships will also be considered
- Proven ability to lead the industrial automation team and take full ownership of developing a high-volume production line for humanoid robots
- Strong leadership skills and technical expertise in automation, capable of managing the development of a high-volume production line from inception to completion and building the industrial automation team at 1X
- Proficiency in developing integrated industrial automation solutions, encompassing mechanical design, electrical systems, and PLC programming. Hands-on experience with industrial robotics (e.g., FANUC, KUKA, ABB) and familiarity with industrial automation systems
- Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and commissioning automation systems, from prototype testing to full-scale production ramp-up
- A track record of delivering complex projects on time and within budget, ideally in a hardware startup environment
- Experience with Solidworks PDM and Altium
Nice-To-Haves:
- A "get-things-done" mindset with a detail-oriented personality and strong documentation and reporting skills
- Ability to thrive in highly dynamic environments where balancing competing priorities and timelines is essential
- Experience with Dimensional Variation Analysis (DVA) and utilizing solutions to achieve reliable, repeatable processes on both small and large scales
- A solid background in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) with hands-on experience in developing and interpreting technical drawings
- 1+ years of experience leading a multidisciplinary engineering team to deliver automation solutions effectively and efficiently, implementing design engineering processes and standards to maximize collaboration and develop high-quality solutions
Location
We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.
Moss, Norway
Our hew headquarter in Moss is a short train ride from Oslo. Our facility is designed to be state-of-the-art, with a variety of 3D printers, an electronics lab, and controls test studio. 1XHQ offers food, showers, and outdoor activities. Norway is known for its rich history, stunning natural landscapes and for being one of the
happiest countries in the world.
If you are relocating to Moss, we offer a comprehensive relocation package to support you and handle the logistics of your move. Join us in Moss or Sunnyvale, where performance meets great company culture.
Typical interview process
- Introductions - interviews to learn more about you and talk about 1X and the role
- Interview with a member of the Talent Acquisition team
- Hiring manager / senior team member / technical interview
- Team interviews - technical interviews and deep-dives with team members. May include a take home challenge, presentation or problem-solving exercise
- Technical deep-dive conversation with a team member
- Onsite interviews with team members
- Final stages - you move to the final round
- Expectation management with the hiring manager
- We will conduct reference checks
- Job offer conversation
Depending on the role and your background, additional interviews may be added.
You are also welcome to request additional conversations with anyone you would like to meet, but didn’t get to meet during the interview process.
We are a value driven team
These are the ideas that express our team’s culture and how we work:
Be Nice
Collaboration is our driving force. Our team creates an open, trusting environment where everyone can be their most creative.
Stay Smart
A world-changing team needs the brightest minds in every discipline. This is where people come to work, learn, and grow to their full potential.
Make History
Everything we do gets us closer to one ambitious vision: general-purpose androids helping people around the globe. We believe what we build today will impact generations.
1X is an inclusive and equal-opportunity employer that values diversity. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected class. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don't hesitate to let us know during the interview process. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We're excited to get to know you and the prospects of having you on board!