Automation & Software Engineering Manager

Socket.dev; Kansas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking an Automation & Software Engineering Manager to lead a multidisciplinary team of software, controls, and automation engineers. You will drive design, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems and software applications to support manufacturing operations and strategic initiatives while upholding safety and quality standards.

The role requires strong leadership, hands-on engineering expertise, and experience delivering complex automation and software projects in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of software engineering, controls engineering, automation engineering, or related experience.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience managing complex automation and software implementation projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of software, controls, automation, and systems engineers.
• Establish performance expectations and support employee growth through coaching, training, and career development.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing, resource allocation, and succession planning for the engineering team.
• Conduct performance reviews and support talent development initiatives.
• Oversee design, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems and software applications.
• Ensure systems comply with regulatory, safety, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Direct software development activities including architecture, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Establish software development standards, coding practices, and QA processes.
• Oversee integration between enterprise systems and manufacturing platforms.
• Manage software release cycles, version control, and change management processes.
• Lead automation and software projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Monitor project performance and address risks and issues.
• Coordinate internal resources and vendors for project delivery.
• Communicate project status and key metrics to senior leadership.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to support business objectives.
• Develop long-term automation and digital transformation strategies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support data analytics and reporting capabilities for operations.

Skills

C#

Python

Java

JavaScript

SQL

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI

Industrial networking

DevOps

Cloud

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Git

CI/CD

PLC programming software

Job description

Automation & Software Engineering Manager

Position Summary

The Automation & Software Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team of automation, controls, and software engineers to design, develop, implement, and maintain automation systems and software applications that support business operations, manufacturing processes, and strategic initiatives. This role combines technical leadership, project management, people development, and cross-functional collaboration to drive operational excellence, innovation, quality, and safety.

The successful candidate will establish engineering standards, manage software development and automation projects, oversee system integrations, and ensure reliable, scalable, and secure solutions that meet organizational objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of software, controls, automation, and systems engineers.
• Establish performance expectations and support employee growth through coaching, training, and career development.
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing, resource allocation, and succession planning for the engineering team.
• Conduct performance reviews and support talent development initiatives.

Automation Engineering

• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of industrial automation systems, including:
  • PLCs
  • HMIs
  • SCADA systems
  • Robotics
  • Motion control systems
  • Vision systems
• Drive automation initiatives that improve productivity, quality, safety, and cost performance.
• Support development of equipment standards and automation architecture.
• Ensure systems comply with applicable regulatory, safety, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex automation and controls issues.

Software Engineering

• Direct software development activities including architecture, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Establish software development standards, coding practices, and quality assurance processes.
• Oversee integration between enterprise systems, manufacturing systems, equipment platforms, and databases.
• Ensure software solutions are scalable, maintainable, and secure.
• Manage software release cycles, version control, and change management processes.

Project Management

• Lead automation and software engineering projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Monitor project performance and proactively address risks, issues, and constraints.
• Coordinate internal resources and external vendors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Communicate project status and key metrics to senior leadership.

Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies to support business objectives.
• Develop long‑term automation and digital transformation strategies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and enhance system reliability.
• Champion Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support data analytics and reporting capabilities to improve operational decision‑making.

Compliance, Quality & Safety

• Ensure engineering solutions comply with company standards, industry regulations, and quality requirements.
• Support Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) initiatives and safe engineering practices.
• Participate in risk assessments and machine safety reviews.
• Maintain documentation, validation records, and engineering standards.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of software engineering, controls engineering, automation engineering, or related experience.
• 3+ years of leadership or management experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience managing complex automation and software implementation projects.

Technical Skills

• Software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall).
• PLC programming and industrial control systems.
• SCADA, HMI, and industrial networking.
• Programming languages such as:
  • C#
  • Python
  • Java
  • JavaScript
  • SQL
• Cloud and enterprise technologies.
• Database management and systems integration.
• Cybersecurity best practices for industrial and software environments.
• Source control and DevOps tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation technologies.
• Experience with robotics, machine vision, IIoT, and MES systems.
• PMP, Agile, Six Sigma, or similar professional certification.
• Familiarity with FDA, ISO, GMP, or other regulated environments, as applicable.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Technical Expertise
• Project Management
• Problem Solving
• Communication Skills
• Change Management
• Team Development
• Customer Focus
• Continuous Improvement
• Business Acumen

Performance Metrics

Success in this role may be measured by:

• Project delivery on time and within budget
• Equipment uptime and reliability improvements
• Software quality and deployment success rates
• Productivity and automation gains
• Safety and compliance performance
• Team engagement and retention
• Cost savings and process improvement achievements
• Achievement of digital transformation objectives

Physical demands

long hours of walking, standing, sitting

pushing / pull / lift up to 50 pounds

required stairs

required working in a cold and hot environment

bend, stooping, squatting