Department Manager - Automation

Trinity Employment Specialists; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Relocation assistance negotiable

Travel reimbursement

Job summary

Trinity Employment Specialists in Springdale, AR seeks an Automation Department Manager who leads a team of five and works closely with customers, driving hands-on project execution. The role blends technical leadership with field support, PLC/HMI programming, and department-wide operations, safety and continuous improvement, with travel and relocation negotiable. Salary range is $80k–$130k with an annual bonus; relocation negotiable; some travel; experience in leadership is valued.

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• College degree and/or minimum 5 years of automation experience.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Leadership and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Automation Department.
• Oversee operations, financials, and strategic planning.
• Ensure safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with customers and support proposals and scope development.

Skills

Leadership

Customer engagement

Project execution

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

College degree preferred

Tools

PLC programming

HMI development

Microsoft Office

Job description

Automation Department ManagerCustomer-Facing Leadership Role

Salary Range:$80,000–$130,000 (based on experience)

Bonus:Annual bonus based on department profitability

Travel:Some travel required (paid per diem)

Relocation Assistance: Negotiable during interview process

Position Overview: The Automation Department Manager will lead a team of approximately five highly skilled individuals, many with strong personalities and deep technical knowledge. Success in this role requires the ability to unify the team, earn trust, and lead through influence, while remaining actively involved in project execution and customer engagement. This is not a desk job. The ideal candidate is a “doer” who is comfortable working directly with customers, troubleshooting systems, supporting the team in the field, and driving results.

Technical Focus

• Approximately 80% controls and system automation
• 20% robotics
• Strong hands‑on experience with:PLC programmingHMI developmentIndustrial equipment automation and system integration
• Ability to provide technical leadership, guidance, and oversight to the automation team
• Sales and technical experience sufficient to support customer proposals, scope development

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Department Management
• Operations, Financial & Strategic Responsibilities
• Safety, Quality & Continuous Improvement

Skills & Competencies

• High school diploma or GED required.
• College degree and/or minimum 5 years of industrial or commercial automation experience.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming knowledge.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent leadership, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.

TRINITY EMPLOYMENT SPECIALISTS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER