Automation Engineering Manager — Smart Factory Leader (Hybrid)

Faith Technologies; Menasha (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Faith Technologies, a leader in engineering and manufacturing solutions, seeks an Engineering Manager - Automation to govern, plan, and execute automation initiatives across facilities. You will define integration standards, lead cross-functional teams, and drive digital transformation in fab, weld, paint, and assembly operations.

The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing automation, strong program leadership, and experience with IT/OT convergence, ERP/MES/WMS integration, and cybersecurity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing, computer science, controls engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, operations, automation engineering, controls integration, or related field.
• Significant experience with manufacturing automation systems (AGVs, AMRs, robotics, conveyors, PLCs, SCADA, HMI) and their integration into production environments.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional programs that span automation deployment, controls integration, and IT/OT convergence.

Responsibilities

• Lead the portfolio of automation and integration programs supporting AGV/AMR deployment, material conveyance, robotics, controls integration, and smart factory initiatives across fab, weld, paint, and assembly.
• Establish and maintain standards for automation and integration projects, including controls architecture, data protocols, cybersecurity, safety interlocks, and validation criteria.
• Manage programs that deploy AGVs, AMRs, and automated material handling systems to move materials and assemblies between operations, reducing manual transport and improving throughput and safety.
• Oversee integration of manufacturing automation systems (PLCs, robotics, SCADA, HMI) with IT infrastructure and business systems (ERP, MES, WMS) to enable real-time scheduling, inventory replenishment, cycle time tracking, and labor visibility.
• Define and execute smart factory roadmaps that connect production equipment, sensors, and automation systems to cloud or on-premise data platforms for monitoring, analytics, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with IT/Business Technology to design and implement secure, scalable IT/OT network architectures that support automation systems while maintaining cybersecurity and uptime requirements.
• Lead vendor selection, procurement, installation, commissioning, and validation of automation equipment and systems, ensuring adherence to project scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Coordinate with Controls Engineering and Operations Engineering to develop and maintain control system standards, PLC/SCADA programming standards, and change management procedures for automation systems.
• Collaborate with Safety and Quality teams to ensure all automation systems meet safety standards (e.g., risk assessments, guarding, e-stops, lockout/tagout) and quality requirements (e.g., process capability, traceability).
• Define and track KPIs for automation programs, including equipment uptime, cycle time reduction, labor productivity, material flow efficiency, integration completion, and ROI.

Skills

Automation program leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

AGVs

AMRs

PLC

SCADA

HMI

ERP

MES

WMS

Job description

Faith Technologies, a leader in engineering and manufacturing solutions, seeks an Engineering Manager - Automation to govern, plan, and execute automation initiatives across facilities. You will define integration standards, lead cross-functional teams, and drive digital transformation in fab, weld, paint, and assembly operations.

The role requires 10+ years in manufacturing automation, strong program leadership, and experience with IT/OT convergence, ERP/MES/WMS integration, and cybersecurity.