Digital Manufacturing and Industrial AI Department Manager

Mead & Hunt, Inc; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Employee-owned firm

401K with company match

Competitive benefits

Job summary

Mead & Hunt is seeking a Digital Manufacturing and Industrial AI Department Manager to lead automation and smart manufacturing services across multiple sites in the upper Midwest. The role combines strategic leadership, client development, and hands-on technical direction in industrial automation.

The successful candidate will mentor engineers, drive AI-enabled initiatives, and shape long-term automation roadmaps while ensuring projects meet budget and schedule commitments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, automation engineering, or related field AND at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation projects and teams.
• Experience working in process manufacturing industries.
• Strong client-facing consulting and business development experience.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects from concept through startup and commissioning.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, resource planning, and quality performance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including process, mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and construction services.
• Manage third-party vendors, system integrators, and contractor resources.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Automation

Industrial AI

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical/automation engineering

Tools

PLC/HMI/SCADA

MES

ERP integration

Job description

Established in 1900, Mead & Hunt is a nationally recognized professional services consulting firm. Our planning, design and construction services are available to clients across a wide variety of sectors. From architecture, aviation, food/beverage processing, and federal to transportation, water infrastructure and more, our unique methodologies deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions that elevate clients and communities.

Here at Mead & Hunt, our culture is about taking care of people, doing the right thing, and doing what makes sense. We are a flexible company that believes in giving back to our communities. We are employee-owned and support initiatives through our various employee programs. We invest in our employees and build relationships that last.

Mead & Hunt, an award-winning national architecture and engineering firm, has continued to exceed our strategic growth initiatives creating opportunities for our current and prospective team members. As a result, a full-time position is available for a Digital Manufacturing and Industrial AI Department Manager! This opportunity is available in the following locations: Fenton, MO, Middleton, WI, West Allis, WI, and Bloomington, MN.

Additionally, this position offers a flexible hybrid work schedule, requiring at least three days per week on-site at our office - an excellent opportunity to enjoy both in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.

Responsibilities include:

Strategic Leadership & Business Development:

• Develop and expand strategic relationships with key food and beverage manufacturing clients.
• Identify opportunities for automation, digital manufacturing, and operational improvement services.
• Support proposal development, scope definition, fee development, and project pursuits.
• Serve as executive sponsor or client manager for major automation programs.
• Collaborate with Mead & Hunt client teams and market leaders to grow automation and smart manufacturing services.

Technical Leadership:

• Provide subject matter expertise in industrial automation, PLC/HMI/SCADA systems, manufacturing execution systems (MES), industrial data systems and analytics, robotics and machine vision, motion control, plant digitalization initiatives and ERP integration. Guide the development of plant-wide control architectures and integration strategies.
• Review and approve technical designs and automation standards.
• Mentor automation engineers and technical specialists.

Business Development and Market Growth

• Lead the department's business development efforts to secure new clients, expand existing client relationships, and increase market share.
• Develop and execute market growth strategies that support department revenue, profitability, and client service goals.
• Serve as an executive sponsor for strategic clients, strategic pursuits, and key business opportunities.
• Lead major proposal efforts, client presentations, interviews, contract negotiations, and strategic pursuits.
• Collaborate with other Mead & Hunt groups and departments to develop integrated solutions, coordinate resources, and pursue cross-selling opportunities.
• Represent the department and company at customer meetings, industry events, conferences, professional organizations, and other market-facing activities.

Project & Program Management

• Lead automation projects from concept through startup and commissioning.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, resource planning, and quality performance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including process, mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and construction services.
• Manage third-party vendors, system integrators, and contractor resources.

Department Leadership

• Lead and develop project managers, software engineers, and automation engineering staff.
• Support recruiting, mentoring, and succession planning activities.
• Establish technical standards and best practices.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Lead AI enablement and deployment in industrial applications.

Digital Manufacturing Strategy

• Help clients develop long-term automation roadmaps.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and manufacturing intelligence solutions.
• Support AI, data analytics, and connected-factory initiatives.
• Drive adoption of industry best practices and ISA/OT standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, automation engineering, or related field AND at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation projects and teams.
• Experience working in process manufacturing industries.
• Strong client-facing consulting and business development experience.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

The ideal candidate will have experience with any/all the following:

• 20 years of relevant experience in industrial automation.
• Experience progressing from software/programming roles into engineering management and business leadership.
• Leadership experience managing regional operations and engineering staff.
• Demonstrated experience in client management, proposal development, and project management.
• Extensive experience with motion control, machine vision, software development, databases, and manufacturing systems.
• Experience delivering automation solutions across food & beverage and other industrial markets.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to work for long periods of time at a desk.

At Mead & Hunt we shape the future by putting people first. If you have strong communication and organizational skills, are self-motivated, and can work well both independently and as part of a team, we can help you grow your career by working with industry experts on exciting projects.

Why Mead & Hunt?

• Strong Company Culture
• Robust Career Advancement, Training, & Growth Opportunities
• Employee-Owned Firm
• Flexible Schedules
• Diverse Skillsets, One Company
• Impressive Benefits Package

Mead & Hunt proudly offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, paid sick leave, parental leave, a 401K plan with a generous company match, life and disability insurance, and an employee assistance program.

Salary Range: $160,000 and above - Actual compensation may vary due to other factors such as: experience, skill set or location.

Mead & Hunt will not sponsor a visa (H-1B, etc.) for this position.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screening requirements.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

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