Senior Automation Manager

Employment Classification: Regular Full-Time, Exempt

Our organization is a global technology and manufacturing company focused on delivering innovative products and solutions to customers across multiple markets. The company operates in a highly technical, high-volume manufacturing environment with a strong emphasis on operational excellence, quality, continuous improvement, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

The organization is investing in automation, digital transformation, and next-generation manufacturing capabilities to improve productivity, quality, scalability, and overall operational performance.

• Define and execute site- and program-level automation strategies aligned with overall manufacturing objectives.
• Identify high-impact automation opportunities across assembly, test, material handling, packaging, and inspection processes.
• Lead automation technology selection, standardization, and deployment of best practices.

• Lead end-to-end automation projects from concept, feasibility, and ROI analysis through design, build, validation, and handover to production.
• Manage multiple concurrent automation programs with clear timelines, budgets, milestones, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure projects meet safety, quality, performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

• Oversee automation system architecture, including robotics, PLCs, vision systems, conveyors, testers, and MES/ERP integration.
• Provide technical guidance to automation, controls, and software engineering teams.
• Ensure automation solutions are robust, scalable, maintainable, and aligned with manufacturing requirements.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams to ensure automation supports throughput, yield, and uptime objectives.
• Drive reductions in labor dependency, cycle time, defects, and operational variation.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and production ramp-ups through automated solutions.

• Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, labor efficiency, yield, and cost per unit through automation investments.
• Track automation KPIs including ROI, OEE improvement, cycle time reduction, and system uptime.
• Control capital expenditures and develop data-driven business cases to support automation investments.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of automation, controls, and engineering professionals.
• Build internal automation capabilities and promote knowledge sharing across manufacturing operations.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and workforce upskilling.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field;
  Master’s degree preferred.
• 10–12+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial engineering, preferably in electronics or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing automation teams, projects, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong hands-on experience with:
• Factory automation, robotics, and process optimization.
• PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industrial controls.
• Vision systems, robotics integration, and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering end-to-end automation projects with measurable improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and quality.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and scaling automation solutions in production environments.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to lead capacity planning, line design, and automation strategy for manufacturing operations.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and equipment vendors to deploy automation solutions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies, including IoT, data analytics, and digital manufacturing, is a strong plus.
• Experience with cost justification, ROI analysis, and capital equipment planning (CAPEX) preferred.
• 401(k)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off

• Approximately 10–15% travel, subject to change based on business needs.