Automation & Controls Engineering Manager

Automation & Controls Manager

The Automation & Controls Manager is responsible for leading a hands-on team that designs, implements, optimizes, and supports automation and controls systems for new and existing manufacturing equipment. This role combines people leadership with deep technical engagement and is responsible for driving automation strategy, equipment performance, controls architecture, standardization, troubleshooting, project execution, and continuous improvement across the factory. The ideal candidate is a strong technical leader who can coach engineers, work cross-functionally, and remain close to the equipment, software, and commissioning activities that enable high-performing manufacturing operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Lead, develop, and support a team of automation and controls engineers responsible for design, implementation, optimization, and sustainment of manufacturing automation systems.

• Remain hands-on in automation and controls engineering work, including troubleshooting, programming, commissioning, debug, and performance improvement of complex process tools and automation systems.

• Own automation and controls strategy for new equipment introductions, existing equipment upgrades, and factory expansion initiatives.

• Provide technical leadership for advanced conveyor systems, pick-and-place systems, precision material handling, motion control, machine vision, process control, and integrated sensor-based automation solutions.

• Guide the engineering and integration of PLCs, SCADA systems, motion controllers, machine vision systems, heater controllers, web edge guiding and steering systems, pneumatic actuators, encoders, force sensors, thermocouples, analog devices, and other sensing technologies.

• Establish and maintain standards for electrical controls design, control panel engineering, documentation, compliance, revision control, and software change management across replicated tool sets.

• Drive best practices for electrical and software version control to ensure consistency, repeatability, and traceability across large-scale equipment deployments.

• Oversee development and execution of test plans to verify equipment functionality, controls performance, reliability, and readiness for production use.

• Lead root cause analysis and resolution of equipment failures, partnering with internal teams and external vendors to implement robust corrective actions.

• Manage vendor relationships related to controls and software design, technical requirements, integration, acceptance testing, commissioning, and issue resolution.

• Support factory build-out and expansion efforts, including vendor acceptance testing, equipment installation, commissioning, startup, and process qualification.

• Partner closely with manufacturing, process engineering, quality, maintenance, software, and operations teams to align automation priorities with production goals.

• Provide clear project updates, technical documentation, training, and communication to stakeholders at all levels.

• Build team capability through hiring, coaching, performance management, prioritization, and development of engineers in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Promote a culture of integrity, teamwork, accountability, self-discipline, and professional competence.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Experience/Education

• BS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in Automation & Controls Engineering or a similar field, including experience supporting complex automated manufacturing systems.

• 2+ years of experience leading, mentoring, or managing engineers or technical teams in a manufacturing or industrial automation environment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Advanced control system engineering and programming of complex process tools and automation systems, primarily using Beckhoff, Mitsubishi, and Omron PLCs, Windows and Linux PCs, C#, Python, and SQL.

• Strong hands-on troubleshooting capability across electrical, controls, software, instrumentation, and automated material handling systems.

• Experience leading architecture, standardization, and deployment of controls solutions across multiple tools or manufacturing lines.

• Knowledge of manufacturing execution systems and experience integrating equipment data streams into factory information databases.

• Advanced knowledge of process control, real-time data acquisition, and equipment-to-factory systems integration.

• Ability to lead technical decision-making, prioritize across multiple projects, and balance short-term operational issues with long-term engineering improvements.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with engineers, technicians, vendors, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Ability to influence others and gain alignment using technical judgment, structured problem-solving, and supporting data.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to remain hands-on with equipment, controls programming, system debug, and commissioning activities.

• Ability to travel up to 10%.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Working Conditions/Hours: 

Salaried Exempt

Physical Demands – Office and Manufacturing Environment

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms and pull/push; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds without assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment –

Includes both a typical office environment, with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues, and a shop environment, with exposure to high noise levels from operating machines, physical hazards from moving equipment and machine parts, nuisance dust, and skin exposure to chemicals used to run/maintain machines

PPE-

May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment, including but not limited to safety glasses, safety shoes, bump-caps, gloves, hair nets, masks, & clean-room frocks while adhering to the prescribed safety procedures