Renewable Energy Jobs tagged "Automated Manufacturing"

Automated Manufacturing Jobs in Renewable Energy

What Automated Manufacturing Actually Involves

Automated manufacturing in renewable energy centers on production lines for solar panels, battery cells, and wind turbine components. Rather than generic factory automation, these roles demand specialized expertise in cleanroom robotics, precision welding systems, and electrode stacking processes. Engineers configure SCARA robots for battery cell assembly, program laser welding systems that join battery modules, and maintain automated vision systems that detect defects in solar cells.

The work differs significantly from traditional automotive manufacturing. Automation has increased labor productivity in solar PV manufacturing over the last decade, reducing labor intensity, but cleanroom requirements, explosion-proof environments for battery electrolyte handling, and the precision demands of semiconductor-grade solar wafer processing create distinct challenges. Process automation technicians troubleshoot dry room conditions for lithium-ion production, while control automation engineers design systems that monitor electrode coating thickness to within micrometers.

Company Types and Career Paths

Employers span component manufacturers like Silfab Solar and Wolfspeed, battery developers such as Verkor, and research organizations like imec. Since the US Inflation Reduction Act, companies have announced 380 clean technology manufacturing facilities, nearly half operational as of March 2025. Opportunities concentrate in regions building domestic capacity, with roles appearing across Europe, North America, and emerging hubs in Southeast Asia.

Professionals transition from Industrial Engineering, Control Engineering, and Quality Control backgrounds. Mechanical Engineering experience with robotics systems translates well, as does expertise in SCADA and Manufacturing execution systems. The field connects to Equipment Management and Production Planning for senior roles.

In-Demand Specializations and Market Direction

Job titles reflect specialization: Process Automation Technicians optimize throughput, Control Automation Engineers integrate production systems, and Factory Automation Technicians maintain robotic cells. Senior positions like Manufacturing Engineering managers focus on overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) improvement and cathode production optimization.

Battery gigafactories demand rapid line reconfiguration for different cell formats, while solar manufacturers seek automated inspection systems using machine learning for defect detection. Engineers combining robotics expertise with battery chemistry knowledge or photovoltaic manufacturing processes command premiums, especially those experienced in scaling pilot lines to commercial production.