Automation Manager: Robotics, PLCs & Lean Manufacturing

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Columbus (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Relocation assistance

Low-cost employee benefits

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East is seeking an Automation Manager in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will lead design, development, and support of automated systems, including material handling, conveyors, and AGV technology, to improve throughput and uptime.

You will supervise and mentor automation technicians, drive safety and reliability, and collaborate across maintenance and production to deliver capital improvements and ROI analyses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Automation Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of automation management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.).
• Experience with robotics and machine integration.
• Knowledge of AGV systems, conveyor technology, sensors, pneumatics, and end-of-arm tooling.
• Proven leadership and project management skills.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication abilities.
• Experience with lean manufacturing and data-driven process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Develop, install, and optimize automation systems for injection molding and secondary operations.
• Manage and support robotics, conveyors, AGVs, end-of-arm tooling, and automated equipment.
• Lead troubleshooting, diagnostics, and root-cause analysis to minimize downtime.
• Maintain documentation, programs, and backups for PLCs, HMIs, robots, and control systems.
• Ensure all automation equipment meets safety, quality, and environmental standards.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and maintenance teams to identify automation opportunities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Develop automation cost analyses and ROI justifications for capital projects.
• Evaluate new automation technologies and work with vendors/integrators on system upgrades.
• Supervise, mentor, and train automation technicians and maintenance staff.
• Support onboarding and skill development for new technologies and systems.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and technical excellence.
• Create and manage preventive maintenance schedules for automated systems.
• Support long-term reliability planning for robotics, controls, and material-handling systems.

Skills

PLC programming

Robotics

Automation leadership

Lean manufacturing

Data-driven process improvement

Troubleshooting

Project management

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial/Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East is seeking an Automation Manager in a high-volume manufacturing environment. You will lead design, development, and support of automated systems, including material handling, conveyors, and AGV technology, to improve throughput and uptime.

You will supervise and mentor automation technicians, drive safety and reliability, and collaborate across maintenance and production to deliver capital improvements and ROI analyses.