Manager, Controls Engineering and Automation

UnitedHealth Group; Mesa (AZ); Hybrid; Confidential; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Equity stock purchase program

401(k) contribution

Job summary

UnitedHealth Group, a leader in health services, seeks a Manager of Controls Engineering & Automation in Mesa, AZ. You will lead a team of automation engineers, directing PLC, HMI, and robotics initiatives across pharmaceutical fulfillment and manufacturing operations.

The role emphasizes system reliability, scalable solutions, and compliance, with travel up to 25% and a hybrid in-office/remote schedule. Strong leadership and technical depth are required.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in industrial automation, controls engineering, or related environments.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership with talent development and team management.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA, industrial networking, robotics, and material handling.
• PLC programming and troubleshooting across major platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Controls and Automation Engineers through coaching and career development.
• Design, program, implement, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, robotics, and control systems.
• Translate priorities into team plans, resources, and objectives.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve reliability, performance, and efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership for automation projects including upgrades and integrations.
• Lead root-cause analysis for complex electrical and automation issues.

Skills

Industrial automation

Engineering leadership

HMI/SCADA

PLC programming

Mechanical aptitude

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Beckhoff

Job description

Optum is a global organization that delivers care, aided by technology to help millions of people live healthier lives. The work you do with our team will directly improve health outcomes by connecting people with the care, pharmacy benefits, data and resources they need to feel their best. Here, you will find a culture guided by inclusion, talented peers, comprehensive benefits and career development opportunities. Come make an impact on the communities we serve as you help us advance health optimization on a global scale. Join us to start Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

This position is Monday - Friday; located at 1830 South Horne, Mesa, AZ.

Position will travel 25% of the time; when not traveling 3 days a week in office | 2 days work from home.

Position Summary

The Manager, Controls Engineering & Automation is responsible for leading ,development, implementation, support, and continuous improvement of automation and control systems within assigned highly automated pharmaceutical fulfillment and manufacturing operations. This leader oversees a team of Controls and Automation Engineers while partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Facilities, Technology, and Automation teams to deliver reliable, scalable, and compliant automation solutions. The Manager translates business and operational priorities into team plans, owns controls engineering processes within the assigned scope, and resolves technical and organizational issues that extend beyond the immediate team.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in industrial controls, PLC programming, robotics, and manufacturing systems with solid people leadership skills. They are passionate about developing engineering talent, building high-performing teams, establishing technical standards, and ensuring automation systems support operational excellence, system reliability, and business continuity.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a team of Controls and Automation Engineers through coaching, performance management, mentoring, succession planning, and career development
• Manage the design, programming, implementation, and support of PLC, HMI, SCADA, robotics, and industrial control systems within the assigned operational scope
• Translate functional and site priorities into team plans, resource requirements, production support priorities, and measurable operating objectives
• Partner with Automation Engineering, Operations, Quality, Facilities, and Technology teams to improve system reliability, performance, scalability, and operational efficiency
• Provide technical leadership for automation projects including equipment deployments, facility expansions, controls upgrades, system integrations, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex electrical, controls, mechanical, and automation issues impacting production operations
• Establish and maintain controls engineering standards, documentation, cybersecurity practices, and lifecycle plans consistent with broader engineering requirements for automation systems
• Provide input into automation planning, technology priorities, capital requirements, and longer-term engineering initiatives
• Build a team culture focused on collaboration, accountability, safety, technical excellence, and continuous improvement

You'll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience supporting industrial automation, controls engineering, manufacturing systems, or related technical environments
• 3+ years of engineering leadership experience with direct responsibility for talent development, team management, and work prioritization
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing, pharmaceutical, distribution, or industrial automation environments
• Experience supporting HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, motion control, robotics, and automated material handling systems
• Demonstrated expertise with PLC programming and troubleshooting, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar industrial control platforms
• Provensolid mechanical aptitude with the ability to troubleshoot integrated electro-mechanical systems and automation equipment
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives and deliver complex engineering projects
• Demonstrated ability to establish team priorities, manage resources, and resolve issues across functions

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP, CAP, Six Sigma, or related technical certifications
• Experience supporting pharmaceutical fulfillment, regulated manufacturing, or healthcare production environments
• Experience with robotics, machine vision, conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, and advanced material handling technologies
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, or continuous improvement methodologies
• Experience implementing engineering standards, governance requirements, and automation lifecycle plans
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity principles and automation infrastructure management

Leadership Expectations

• Set clear direction and accountability for the engineering team while aligning priorities with functional and site objectives
• Build team capability through mentoring, training, stretch assignments, and leadership development
• Use sound judgment to balance production needs, system reliability, technical risk, compliance, and available resources
• Partner effectively with Engineering leaders, Operations leaders, and key stakeholders to resolve issues and deliver business priorities
• Serve as a trusted technical and people leader who remains close enough to the work to guide complex decisions without functioning as the primary individual contributor
• Escalate decisions involving broader organizational strategy, multi-site direction, or significant investment while providing clear analysis and recommendations

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements). No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you'll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $112,700 - $193,200 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

At UnitedHealth Group, our mission is to help people live healthier lives and make the health system work better for everyone. We believe everyone-of every race, gender, sexuality, age, location and income-deserves the opportunity to live their healthiest life. Today, however, there are still far too many barriers to good health which are disproportionately experienced by people of color, historically marginalized groups and those with lower incomes. We are committed to mitigating our impact on the environment and enabling and delivering equitable care that addresses health disparities and improves health outcomes - an enterprise priority reflected in our mission.

UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.