Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Daimler Truck North America LLC; Mount Holly Township (NJ); On-site; USD 117,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

401k match

4 weeks vacation

13+ holidays

8 weeks parental leave

Healthcare plans

Job summary

Daimler Truck North America seeks a Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer to set plant automation standards, lead modernization, and drive OT cybersecurity across high-volume operations. The role demands expertise in industrial controls, FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, virtualization, and industrial networking.

You will guide capital automation projects, develop roadmaps, and mentor teams while partnering with IT, Cybersecurity, and maintenance to ensure safe, reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline with 7+ years in industrial automation.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and Rockwell software.
• Experience with FactoryTalk View SE and ThinManager environments.
• Strong networking and OT cybersecurity knowledge in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation engineering initiatives and develop plant-wide automation standards.
• Manage capital automation projects from concept to sustainment.
• Maintain OT virtualization/visualization infrastructure and industrial networks.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting for controls, HMI/SCADA, and cybersecurity.
• Coach and mentor automation engineers and maintenance staff.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Engineering Technology

Tools

FactoryTalk View SE

ThinManager

VMware vSphere

Industrial Networking

OT Cybersecurity

Job description

Inside the Role

The Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer serves as the plant's primary authority for industrial automation systems, controls infrastructure, and operational technology (OT) environments that support facility and production equipment systems. The role establishes technology standards, develops automation strategies, and leads modernization initiatives that improve safety, reliability, cybersecurity, and operational performance. The successful candidate will possess expertise in industrial controls, FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, virtualization technologies, industrial networking, and OT cybersecurity within a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• annual bonus program
• 401k company contribution with company match up to 6% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age
• starting at 4 weeks paid vacation
• 13+ calendar holidays
• 8 weeks paid parental leave
• employee assistance program
• comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs
• onsite fitness (at some locations)
• tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off
• short-term and long-term disability plans

Salary

Starting salary range of $117,000 - $150,000 USD Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience.

Schedule

Note: this is a Swing Shift (Second Shift) position.

Location

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- Mount Holly, NC US. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Work Arrangements

Schedule Type: Onsite

What You Drive at DTNA

• Leadership & Strategy: Lead and coordinate automation engineering initiatives involving controls systems, industrial automation, and supporting OT infrastructure, establishing priorities, standards, and implementation strategies aligned with plant objectives.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and establish standards for future automation, controls, SCADA, and industrial networking solutions.
• Lead automation lifecycle and obsolescence management efforts by identifying technologies approaching end-of-support and developing migration strategies that reduce operational risk and support future business needs.
• Develop and maintain the plant automation technology roadmap, including lifecycle management and replacement strategies for aging hardware and software platforms.
• Project Execution: Lead capital automation projects from concept development through implementation and sustainment.
• Support the successful implementation of plant-specific initiatives focused on safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost improvement.

Core Infrastructure Ownership

• Administer and maintain the plant's OT virtualization and visualization infrastructure, including VMware vSphere, FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, and other critical manufacturing applications supporting plant-wide operations.
• Design, maintain, and support industrial Ethernet and automation network infrastructure.
• Maintain plant-wide automation standards, documentation, backup strategies, and disaster recovery plans.
• Ensure PLC, HMI, SCADA, drive, and server backup systems remain current and recoverable.

Operational Support

• Provide advanced troubleshooting support for complex controls, HMI, SCADA, networking, and infrastructure issues.
• Partner with Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Maintenance, Production, and Engineering teams to ensure reliable and secure manufacturing operations.

Cybersecurity Support

• OT cybersecurity initiatives through implementation of company standards and industry best practices.
• Assist with vulnerability remediation, network segmentation, access control, patching strategies, and secure system architecture.
• Maintain familiarity with CISA guidance, ISA/IEC 62443 principles, and evolving OT cybersecurity requirements.

Team Development

• Provide coaching, mentorship, and technical guidance to automation engineers and maintenance personnel.
• Maintain awareness of advancements in automation technologies, industrial networking, virtualization, cybersecurity, and manufacturing systems.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related technical discipline AND 7+ years of industrial automation, controls, and manufacturing systems experience is required.
• Demonstrated expertise in industrial automation systems, control system design, implementation, and support.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and associated control system architectures.
• Experience supporting, troubleshooting and administering FactoryTalk View SE environments.
• Experience deploying, administering, and supporting ThinManager environments.
• Experience supporting industrial Ethernet networks and automation infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have Experience

• Administering VMware vSphere environments supporting FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, or other critical manufacturing applications.
• Experience with FactoryTalk AssetCentre, FactoryTalk Directory, and associated Rockwell software platforms.
• Experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA, and VFD migration projects.
• Experience with operational technology cybersecurity programs and industrial security frameworks.
• Systems integration experience within a highly automated manufacturing environment.
• Experience with FANUC robotics integration and robotic manufacturing systems.
• SQL database and manufacturing data systems experience.
• Familiarity with CISA recommendations, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and ISA/IEC 62443 standards.

Additional Information

• Visa sponsorship will only be open to current Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa.
• All other applicants must be legally authorized to work permanently in the country the position is located in at the time of application.
• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check.
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen.
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions.

EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

Contact Information

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.

Company Culture & Inspiration

Are you ready to join the inspired people who are helping shape the future of commercial vehicle manufacturing? Our employees enjoy lucrative benefits, competitive salaries and the opportunity to work in jobs across many functions—mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, accounting, sales & marketing, IT and more—both within our company and in our offices around the world.