Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Inside the role, the Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer serves as the plant's primary authority for industrial automation systems, controls infrastructure, and operational technology (OT) environments that support facility and production equipment systems. The role establishes technology standards, develops automation strategies, and leads modernization initiatives that improve safety, reliability, cybersecurity, and operational performance. The successful candidate will possess expertise in industrial controls, Factory Talk View SE, Thin Manager, virtualization technologies, industrial networking, and OT cybersecurity within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

What You Drive At DTNA

• Lead and coordinate automation engineering initiatives involving controls systems, industrial automation, and supporting OT infrastructure, establishing priorities, standards, and implementation strategies aligned with plant objectives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and establish standards for future automation, controls, SCADA, and industrial networking solutions.
• Lead automation lifecycle and obsolescence management efforts by identifying technologies approaching end-of-support and developing migration strategies that reduce operational risk and support future business needs.
• Develop and maintain the plant automation technology roadmap, including lifecycle management and replacement strategies for aging hardware and software platforms.

• Lead capital automation projects from concept development through implementation and sustainment.
• Support the successful implementation of plant-specific initiatives focused on safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost improvement.

• Administer and maintain the plant's OT virtualization and visualization infrastructure, including VMware vSphere, Factory Talk View SE, Thin Manager, and other critical manufacturing applications supporting plant-wide operations.
• Design, maintain, and support industrial Ethernet and automation network infrastructure.
• Maintain plant-wide automation standards, documentation, backup strategies, and disaster recovery plans.
• Ensure PLC, HMI, SCADA, drive, and server backup systems remain current and recoverable.

• Provide advanced troubleshooting support for complex controls, HMI, SCADA, networking, and infrastructure issues.
• Partner with Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Maintenance, Production, and Engineering teams to ensure reliable and secure manufacturing operations.

• Support OT cybersecurity initiatives through implementation of company standards and industry best practices.
• Assist with vulnerability remediation, network segmentation, access control, patching strategies, and secure system architecture.
• Maintain familiarity with CISA guidance, ISA/IEC 62443 principles, and evolving OT cybersecurity requirements.

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and technical guidance to automation engineers and maintenance personnel.
• Maintain awareness of advancements in automation technologies, industrial networking, virtualization, cybersecurity, and manufacturing systems.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related technical discipline AND 7+ years of industrial automation, controls, and manufacturing systems experience is required
• Demonstrated expertise in industrial automation systems, control system design, implementation, and support
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and associated control system architectures
• Experience supporting, troubleshooting and administering Factory Talk View SE environments
• Experience deploying, administering, and supporting Thin Manager environments
• Experience supporting industrial Ethernet networks and automation infrastructure
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
• An attached resume is required

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Experience administering VMware vSphere environments supporting Factory Talk View SE, Thin Manager, or other critical manufacturing applications.
• Experience with Factory Talk Asset Centre, Factory Talk Directory, and associated Rockwell software platforms.
• Experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA, and VFD migration projects.
• Experience with operational technology cybersecurity programs and industrial security frameworks.
• Systems integration experience within a highly automated manufacturing environment.
• Experience with FANUC robotics integration and robotic manufacturing systems.
• SQL database and manufacturing data systems experience.
• Familiarity with CISA recommendations, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and ISA/IEC 62443 standards.

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s):
Mount Holly, NC US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Schedule Type:
Onsite

At Daimler…