Head of Manufacturing Automation & Controls

Skydio, Inc.; Hayward (CA); On-site; USD 196,000 - 257,000; Full time

Job summary

Skydio, Inc. in Hayward, CA, seeks a Head of Manufacturing Engineering Automation & Controls to lead the design and scale‑up of automated production systems for high‑volume small unmanned aircraft.

This leader will own the manufacturing engineering organization responsible for translating product designs into robust, production‑ready manufacturing systems. A major focus will be factory automation, controls engineering, equipment development, and manufacturing systems architecture.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, controls engineering, equipment engineering, or related disciplines.
• 5+ years of experience leading engineering organizations responsible for manufacturing systems or factory automation.
• Demonstrated experience scaling complex electromechanical products into high-volume production.
• Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, industrial automation, electronics, battery, semiconductor, or another highly engineered manufacturing environment; aerospace experience strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing automation and controls, including several of the following: PLC and industrial controls architectures, Robotics and robotic cells, Servo and motion‑control systems, Machine vision, Industrial networking and communications, Sensors and instrumentation, Automated test and inspection, Machine safety systems, SCADA/HMI systems, Manufacturing equipment software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, development, deployment, and lifecycle management of automated manufacturing equipment and production systems.
• Build strong internal capabilities in controls engineering, PLC programming, industrial robotics, motion control, machine vision, industrial networking, sensors, servo systems, safety systems, and automated material handling.
• Establish manufacturing standards, design reviews, equipment specifications, process qualification methodologies, and production-readiness criteria.
• Develop strategies for balancing manual, semi-automated, and fully automated manufacturing based on production rate, process capability, economics, and product maturity.

Skills

Manufacturing automation

Controls engineering

PLC programming

Robotics

Machine vision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics

Tools

SCADA/HMI

MES

Job description

Skydio, Inc. in Hayward, CA, seeks a Head of Manufacturing Engineering Automation & Controls to lead the design and scale‑up of automated production systems for high‑volume small unmanned aircraft.

This leader will own the manufacturing engineering organization responsible for translating product designs into robust, production‑ready manufacturing systems. A major focus will be factory automation, controls engineering, equipment development, and manufacturing systems architecture.