Automation Engineer Manager

Alcon; Elkridge (MD); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Flexible time off

Job summary

Alcon is seeking an Automation Engineering Technical Manager in Elkridge, MD to lead complex field service and maintenance of automation systems. You will collaborate with teams to optimize warehouse processes using robotics, manage projects over $100K, and drive safety and quality across distribution operations.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 5+ years of experience, and electrician/HSE credentials. This role requires on-site work in Maryland with occasional travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent years of related experience.
• Fluent reading/writing/speaking English.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant automation/engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation maintenance and improvement efforts at the Elkridge Distribution Center.
• Collaborate with internal teams on warehouse workflow optimization using robotics.
• Oversee projects >$100K, including budget management and governance.
• Develop KPIs and integrate predictive AI within a centralized model.
• Ensure safety, change control, and quality compliance across systems.

Skills

5S & Six Sigma

Electrician certification

HSE experience

5+ years experience

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Job description

• Travel: 5-10% (To Fort Worth, Texas)
• Electrician certification

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

This role is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes. The Manager, Automation & Control Engineering (Management Path) is primarily responsible for leading complex team operations in field technical service engineering, ensuring Alcon equipment functions effectively, solving problems, recommending new products, and building customer relationships.

As an Automation Engineering Technical Manager, you will be trusted to ensure compliant, accurate, and timely completion of corrective, emergency, and preventive maintenance on automation systems and equipment at our Elkridge Maryland Distribution Center.

Specifics Include:

• Collaborating with internal team on warehouse workflow optimization initiatives using best-in-class robotics and automation solutions.
• Collaborating with internal team to improve and optimize warehouse processes/ operations through consolidation, control, execution, and project management governance.
• Collaborate with third-party vendors to implement tailored automation solutions within the facility.
• Initiate, manage, and document equipment/process improvement projects, including budget oversight for projects over $100K.
• Collect and interpret information on present and future distribution needs for strategic planning purposes.
• Develop inter-company KPIs to strengthen supply chain collaboration, integrate predictive AI capabilities into a centralized shared drive model, and implement corrective actions to address scheduling delays/conflicts.
• Troubleshoot, document, and resolve equipment and process control system issues while ensuring compliance with change control activities.
• Diagnose automation technology failures using in-depth data analysis and control system logic review, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
• Provide daily oversight of system support, coordinate special distribution efforts, and contribute to strategic planning for future distribution needs.
• Collaborate with and support coworkers to strengthen the organization's capabilities, facilitate knowledge transfer through peer-to-peer training, and drive personal and professional growth for both self and team.
• Estimate labor and equipment costs by analyzing engineering processes and preparing purchase requisitions.
• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership in the areas of Health, Safety and Environmental Operations/Stewardship. Work with peers in the distribution network to drive a culture of safety.
• Be actively engaged in developing and assimilating quality control processes and procedures that ensure the Distribution Center meets customer expectations.
• Assist with the selection, development and oversight of (1-2) Warehouse Automation Technicians who will be focused on the maintenance, planning and oversight of a diverse portfolio of automation equipment with the goal of 100% uptime.

What You'll Bring To Alcon

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +13 yrs; Assoc.+9 yrs; M.S.+2 yrs; PhD+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 5 Years of Relevant Experience
• Work Schedule: 1st Shift – 8:00AM – 5:00PM (Monday-Friday)
• Work Location: Elkridge, Maryland
• Travel: 5-10% (To Fort Worth, Texas)
• Relocation Assistance/Sponsorship: None

Preferred Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Familiarity with Continuous Improvement Models such as 5S and Six Sigma.
• Electrician certification
• Experience in HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment)
• Flexibility in hours and days of week based on business need.

How you can thrive at Alcon:

• Work together with colleagues to share standard methodologies and discoveries as work progresses.
• Discover your career in a fresh way through specific growth and development possibilities.
• Join Alcon’s mission to provide outstanding, innovative products and solutions to improve sight, improve lives, and grow your career!
• Alcon provides a robust benefits package including health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and much more!

Alcon Careers

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ALCON IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PARTICIPATES IN E-VERIFY

Alcon takes pride in maintaining an inclusive environment that values different perspectives and our policies are non-discriminatory in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Alcon is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an email to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.