Reliability Automation Manager

Actalent; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent in Erlanger, KY leads a 24/7 injection molding operation and seeks a Reliability Automation Manager to oversee maintenance, automation, and controls, aiming to maximize uptime and OEE in a fast-paced environment.

You will drive predictive maintenance, manage teams, and coordinate with vendors to improve system reliability while ensuring safety and ISO compliance. This onsite role offers contract-to-hire opportunities.

Qualifications

• Engineering or related field degree preferred.
• 7+ years of manufacturing maintenance experience with Injection Molding.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams.
• Strong knowledge of PLC control and programming, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networking.
• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), TPM, and predictive maintenance programs.
• Proven success in reducing downtime and improving equipment reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to maximize uptime and OEE.
• Develop and implement machine reliability strategies to reduce downtime.
• Manage maintenance and controls technicians and contractors.
• Oversee automation and controls systems including PLCs, HMIs, servo systems, vision systems.
• Develop and improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Analyze downtime data and lead root-cause corrective actions.
• Build predictive maintenance using condition monitoring and vibration analysis.
• Manage maintenance budgets, spare parts, and capital projects.
• Collaborate with vendors to improve system reliability.
• Recommend improvements for new and existing equipment technology.
• Develop training for self and direct reports on new tech.
• Ensure OSHA/safety/environment/ISO compliance.
• Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

PLC control

HMI

VFDs & servo

Robotics

RCM/TPM

Predictive maintenance

Data-driven analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Six Sigma / Lean / reliability certs (CMRP/CRL)

Tools

CMMS

Netstal

Arburg

Sumitomo

Vision systems

Job description

Job Title: Reliability Automation ManagerJob Description

Lead plant maintenance, equipment reliability, automation, and controls in a 24/7 injection molding operation. Maximize machine uptime and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), reduce maintenance costs, and transition the facility from a reactive maintenance model to a proactive and predictive one.

Responsibilities

• Lead all preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize machine uptime and OEE.

• Develop and implement machine reliability strategies that reduce downtime and extend asset life.

• Manage maintenance and controls technicians, as well as outside contractors, through job analysis, assignments, training, and personnel management.

• Oversee automation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, servo and robotics, vision systems, and end-of-line automation.

• Develop and improve the preventive and predictive maintenance program for all equipment.

• Analyze downtime data and lead root-cause corrective actions using a systematic, data-driven approach.

• Build predictive maintenance capability using condition monitoring, vibration analysis, and thermography.

• Manage maintenance budgets, spare parts inventory, and capital improvement projects.

• Maintain plant auxiliaries in collaboration with vendors to improve system capability and reliability.

• Evaluate facility equipment needs and recommend improvements for new and existing technology, ensuring timely equipment ordering and installation.

• Develop training recommendations for self and direct reports to stay current with the latest technologies.

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, safety, environmental, quality, and ISO requirements.

• Support continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related field preferred.

• 7+ years of manufacturing maintenance experience with Injection Molding.

• 3+ years of leadership experience managing maintenance teams.

• Strong knowledge of PLC control and programming, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, robotics, and industrial networking.

• Experience with reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), total productive maintenance (TPM), and predictive maintenance programs.

• Proven success in reducing downtime and improving equipment reliability.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in injection molding, packaging, food processing, or high-speed manufacturing environments.

• Familiarity with multi-platform press fleets (Netstal, Arburg, Sumitomo) and integrated automation.

• Experience with CMMS systems.

• Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or reliability certifications such as CMRP or CRL.

• Plastics experience.

• Industrial maintenance experience.

Work Environment

This position is fully on-site, Monday through Friday, from 6/6:30 a.m. to 3/3:30 p.m.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Erlanger, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $69.71 - $69.71/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Erlanger, KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Erlanger,KY.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.