Automation Engineering Manager

Shaw Contract EMEA; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Shaw Industries is seeking an experienced Automation Engineering Manager to lead and support automation initiatives across multiple yarn manufacturing facilities. Based in Aiken, SC, the role combines technical leadership with hands-on support to improve uptime, quality, and cybersecurity.

You will manage Siemens PLC/HMI systems, coordinate capital projects, and mentor plant teams while collaborating with IT, operations, and engineering. Travel to additional sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems support.
• Experience with Siemens PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with Siemens HMI systems.
• Industrial networking and communications.
• Automation project management and system integration.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across operations, engineering, maintenance, and IT.
• Experience managing vendor, OEM, and system integrator relationships.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and support for automation systems across multiple yarn manufacturing facilities.
• Manage Siemens PLC, HMI, and industrial control systems to ensure safe, reliable plant operations.
• Develop and execute automation strategies to improve uptime, quality, efficiency, and cybersecurity.
• Lead automation-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, including budgeting and scheduling.
• Engage with OEMs, system integrators, robotics providers, and AGV vendors.
• Serve as liaison between Manufacturing, Engineering, and Corporate IT for alignment of automation and data initiatives.
• Support data collection, reporting, and analytics platforms for data-driven decisions.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to maintenance, engineering, and controls personnel.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, and change management processes.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, networking, robotics, AGV, and system integration issues.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement in process control and efficiency.
• Support plant cybersecurity initiatives and ensure compliance with standards.
• Travel periodically to support activities at multiple plants.

Skills

Siemens PLC programming

Siemens HMI

Industrial networking

Automation project management

System integration

Troubleshooting

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Electrical Engineering

Automation Engineering

Computer Engineering

Related technical discipline

Job description

Position Overview

Shaw Industries is seeking an experienced Automation Manager to lead and support automation systems across multiple yarn extrusion, twisting, and heat-set manufacturing facilities. This position will be based at our manufacturing plant in Aiken, South Carolina but will support other plants in the area. It will provide technical leadership, strategic direction, and hands‑on support for industrial automation initiatives throughout the organization.

Job Title

Automation Engineering Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and support for automation systems across multiple yarn manufacturing facilities.
• Manage and support Siemens PLC, HMI, and industrial control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Develop and execute automation strategies that improve equipment uptime, product quality, operational efficiency, and cybersecurity.
• Lead automation-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope development, vendor coordination, budgeting, scheduling, and startup support.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with equipment OEMs, system integrators, automation suppliers, robotics providers, and AGV vendors.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Manufacturing, Engineering, and Corporate IT teams to ensure alignment of plant automation, networking, cybersecurity, and data initiatives.
• Support manufacturing data collection, reporting, and analytics platforms to enable data‑driven decision making.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to plant maintenance, engineering, and controls personnel.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, backup procedures, and change management processes.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, controls, networking, robotics, AGV, and system integration issues.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to process control, machine performance, material handling, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support plant cybersecurity initiatives and ensure compliance with corporate standards and best practices.
• Travel periodically to support automation activities at multiple manufacturing locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems support.
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • Siemens PLC programming and troubleshooting
  • Siemens HMI systems
  • Industrial networking and communications
  • Automation project management and system integration
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, maintenance, and IT organizations.
• Experience managing vendor, OEM, and system integrator relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition platform development and administration.
• Experience with SQL databases, data historians, and manufacturing reporting systems.
• Experience with additional PLC platforms such as Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell, Beckhoff, Schneider, or similar systems.
• Experience supporting industrial robotic systems and robotic arms in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting or implementing Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), or automated material handling systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (MES), SCADA systems, and industrial data collection architectures.
• Experience supporting enterprise‑wide automation standards and multi‑site manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Experience in yarn extrusion, twisting, heat‑setting, textile manufacturing, or other continuous‑process manufacturing environments.

Work Shift

8 Hr non‑rotating shift, Hrs fall to in punch day, Observed Calendar, shift starts AM

Shaw Industries is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.