Director of Automation Engineering

Director of Automation Engineering – Advanced Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an accomplished Director of Automation Engineering to lead the development and implementation of advanced automation strategies across a multi-site manufacturing organization.

This position will play a major role in transforming labor-intensive manufacturing processes through robotics, custom automation, digital simulation, virtual commissioning, and advanced controls technologies.

The successful candidate will bring a unique combination of technical depth, hands-on engineering capability, and leadership experience
. This is not a position focused solely on managing outside integrators. We are looking for someone who understands how automated manufacturing systems are actually conceived, designed, built, debugged, and successfully launched into production.

A major focus of the role will be identifying manufacturing processes where automation can improve productivity, reduce reliance on manual labor, improve ergonomics, increase throughput, and generate measurable operational savings.

• Develop and execute an enterprise-wide automation strategy supporting manufacturing productivity, labor optimization, quality, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate manual manufacturing processes including assembly, welding, inspection, material handling, packaging, and related operations to identify high-value automation opportunities.
• Lead the concept development and mechanical design of custom automation equipment, robotic cells, fixtures, tooling, end-of-arm tooling, parts-feeding systems, and other production equipment.
• Provide technical leadership throughout the entire automation lifecycle, including concept development, design reviews, prototyping, equipment build, programming, debugging, installation, launch, and production validation.
• Introduce and expand the use of industrial robotics, collaborative robots, automated inspection systems, machine vision, AGVs/AMRs, advanced PLC controls, and other emerging manufacturing technologies.
• Establish internal engineering capabilities that allow high-ROI automation projects to be developed and deployed rapidly.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing team of automation, controls, mechanical, robotics, and simulation engineers.
• Create automation standards, engineering methodologies, and best practices that can be replicated across multiple manufacturing locations.
• Develop detailed capital requests and business cases for automation projects, including equipment costs, labor savings, productivity improvements, payback periods, and overall return on investment.
• Partner closely with operations, manufacturing engineering, quality, maintenance, IT, and plant leadership to ensure automation projects support broader business objectives.

• Develop the organization's strategy for digital manufacturing, virtual commissioning, digital twins, and advanced simulation
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• Utilize discrete-event, robotic, and kinematic simulation technologies to validate manufacturing concepts before equipment is physically built.
• Analyze cycle times, equipment utilization, operator interaction, material flow, bottlenecks, and production capacity through simulation.
• Lead virtual commissioning activities to validate PLC logic, robotic motion, HMI functionality, and system interaction prior to installation.
• Use simulation and digital validation to reduce equipment launch risk, shorten installation timelines, and improve production readiness.
• Support the design and optimization of complex automated assembly systems, robotic work cells, and material-handling systems.

The successful candidate should have extensive experience…