Manufacturing Automation Engineer

Elite Recruiting Co; Fairborn (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Recruiting Co is sourcing a Sector Lead, Manufacturing Automation in Fairborn, OH. The role will steer strategy, deployment, and scaling of automation across aerospace/defense programs, bridging engineering, digital systems, and operations to modernize production.

The successful leader will drive robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0 initiatives to improve throughput, quality, and cost efficiency while leading cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in manufacturing, automation, or production engineering.
• Leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated environments.
• Proven track record in automation and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience; Green/Black Belt preferred.
• MES/ERP systems experience is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end manufacturing automation strategy, roadmap, and execution.
• Design and deploy automation solutions.
• Improve throughput, efficiency, and first-time quality across production lines.
• Partner with engineering to integrate digital manufacturing systems.
• Support production ramp-up, NPI, and scaling of automated systems.
• Establish and track KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and supply chain.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, driving automation innovation.

Skills

Automation systems

Robotics

Lean manufacturing

Industry 4.0

Digital manufacturing

Leadership

Project management

Tools

MES/ERP

Job description

Job Title: Sector Lead, Manufacturing Automation

Location:Fairborn, OH

About

Our client delivers advanced engineering, manufacturing, and digital transformation solutions supporting DoD and aerospace clients. The organization focuses on smart manufacturing, automation, and Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance production

efficiency, quality, and mission readiness.

Position Overview

The Sector Lead, Manufacturing Automation, will lead the strategy, deployment, and scaling of automation solutions across aerospace and defense manufacturing programs. This role is responsible for driving factory modernization initiatives, integrating robotics, AI, and advanced automation systems to improve production performance, quality, and cost efficiency. This leader will bridge manufacturing engineering, digital systems, and operational execution to enable next-generation automated production environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end manufacturing automation strategy, roadmap, and execution
• Design and deploy automation solutions
• Improve throughput, efficiency, and first-time quality across production lines
• Partner with engineering to integrate digital manufacturing systems
• Support production ramp-up, NPI, and scaling of automated systems
• Establish and track KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost)
• Collaborate cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and supply chain
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, driving automation innovation

Required Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in manufacturing, automation, or production engineering
• Leadership experience in aerospace, defense, or highly regulated environments
• Strong expertise in automation systems, robotics, and smart manufacturing technologies
• Experience with Industry 4.0 and digital manufacturing initiatives
• Proven track record in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement
• Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt) preferred
• Experience with MES/ERP systems is a strong plus

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to attain a United States Security Clearance
• Ability to travel 30% of the time