Senior Automation Engineer - Manufacturing

Hysata is an Australian green hydrogen technology company headquartered in Wollongong, New South Wales, that designs and manufactures high-efficiency electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen. The company's core mission is to accelerate the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors by making green hydrogen economically competitive through a step-change improvement in electrolyser efficiency and system design. Hysata's electrolysers achieve a world-leading 95% system efficiency, equivalent to 41.5 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen, which surpasses the International Renewable Energy Agency's 2050 efficiency target and has been validated through publication in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Communications. Hysata's technology is distinguished by a drastically simplified balance of plant, modular architecture, and a design philosophy optimised for mass manufacturing, all of which contribute to delivering the lowest Levelised Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH) for customers. The company offers a turn-key electrolyser solution intended to transform the economics of green hydrogen production globally. Backed by leading strategic and financial investors, Hysata is scaling rapidly toward multi-gigawatt manufacturing capacity. The company has secured notable partnerships and commercial agreements, including deals with ACWA Power and POSCO Holdings, and has received support through Australia's Hydrogen Headstart funding programme. Hysata has also been recognised for its workplace culture, winning a Best Startup Culture award in 2024, and continues to engage with policymakers and international stakeholders to advance the green hydrogen industry.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to work with us on our scale-up to manufacturing. The ideal candidate will be highly innovative, with experience in industrial automation systems and is comfortable with hands-on work. Familiarity with SCADA systems, industrial networks, and PLC programming will be essential. You will thrive in the fast-paced start-up world where no two days are the same. You’ll be joining a team of smart, driven, collaborative and highly dedicated individuals who love solving engineering challenges and who are excited to be fighting the climate crisis.

Role responsibilities

• Lead in the specification, design, execution, commissioning and operation of industrial automation and control systems;
• Take part in the day-to-day support of our bespoke electrolyser test systems, including new feature integration, sensor upgrades and fault analysis;
• Program, test, and commission PLCs, HMIs, VSDs, servo systems, and industrial robots;
• Troubleshoot issues in manufacturing and QA equipment to minimize downtime and improve enterprise reliability;
• Deliver and maintain documentation such as electrical schematics, control philosophies and functional specifications;
• Integrate new equipment into existing test and manufacturing infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with plant standards;
• Perform system tuning and optimization and to meet the needs of the research and development team;
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver automation solutions.
• Ensure compliance with electrical, safety, and industry regulations (e.g., IEC, AS/NZS standards).
• Working with team members to provide solutions to unique technology problems.
• Defining and executing validation plans in collaboration with the rest of the Hysata team.

What you'll bring

Required Skills

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or in a similar field;
• 10+ years’ experience in an automation and control engineering environment in the manufacturing sector;
• Experience participating in large manufacturing projects in an engineering role;
• Proven ability working in PLC programming and HMI design;
• Experience with the Ignition SCADA environment;
• Aptitude at panel wiring and field equipment installation;
• Clear and open communication;
• A motivated attitude and the ability to work independently within a multi-disciplinary environment;
• The ability to adapt within a dynamic, fast-paced work environment; and
• Experience with electrolysers, battery, or energy storage systems a plus.

What we offer

Perks Include (but are not limited to):

• Idyllic beachside location;
• Competitive base salary and stock options;
• Salary sacrifice into superannuation;
• Flexible working conditions;
• Recognition of service;
• Wellness allowance;
• EAP through Sonder;
• Novated leasing;
• Employee discount program through Flare; and
• Awesome work environment and a pretty cool team!