Senior Automation Program Manager

HBD Industries, Inc.; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HBD Industries, Inc. is seeking an experienced Sr. Automation Program Manager to lead manufacturing robotics and automation initiatives across our U.S.

facilities. The role requires building the automation roadmap, evaluating opportunities, and directing capital projects from concept to production. You will partner with plant leadership to implement robotics technologies, drive safety and productivity gains, and manage vendor relationships across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years leading robotics and automation projects in manufacturing.
• Experience deploying robotic automation from concept to production.
• Experience developing capital project business cases and ROI analyses.

Responsibilities

• Identify and prioritize manufacturing automation opportunities across multiple plants.
• Lead automation and robotics projects from concept through commissioning and production stabilization.
• Develop business cases, ROI analyses, budgets, and project plans.
• Manage system integrators, equipment suppliers, and external automation partners.
• Lead the implementation of robotic work cells, machine tending, material handling, vision systems, palletizing, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and labor utilization.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Automation strategy

Vendor management

Influence leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

FANUC

ABB

KUKA

Yaskawa/Motoman

Universal Robots

PLCs/HMIs

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Sr. Automation Program Manager: Manufacturing Robotics

Full Time Asheville, NC, US

Senior Automation Program Manager | Manufacturing Robotics & Automation

Summary:

Remote with Travel | Preferred Home Base: Southern California, North Carolina, or Georgia

HBD Industries is launching a multi-site manufacturing automation initiative across our U.S. operations. We are seeking an experienced automation leader to identify, justify, and deploy robotic automation solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and throughput across our manufacturing facilities.

This is a highly visible role responsible for building the automation roadmap, evaluating opportunities, leading capital projects, and partnering with plant leadership to implement robotics and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Please Note: This role focuses on manufacturing robotics and factory automation deployment. It is not primarily a PLC programming, SCADA, or controls engineering position.

What You'll Do:

• Identify and prioritize manufacturing automation opportunities across multiple plants
• Lead automation and robotics projects from concept through commissioning and production stabilization
• Develop business cases, ROI analyses, budgets, and project plans
• Manage system integrators, equipment suppliers, and external automation partners
• Lead the implementation of robotic work cells, machine tending, material handling, vision systems, palletizing, and other advanced manufacturing technologies
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and labor utilization

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience leading manufacturing robotics and automation projects in industrial production environments.
• Proven experience identifying, justifying, and deploying robotic automation solutions from concept through commissioning, start-up, and production stabilization.
• Experience developing capital project business cases, ROI analyses, equipment specifications, and automation roadmaps.
• Demonstrated success managing automation vendors, system integrators, contractors, and capital equipment suppliers.
• Strong project management, change management, and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
• Ability to influence plant leadership and operations teams to successfully adopt new technologies and automation solutions.

Technical Expertise

• Hands-on experience with industrial robotics platforms such as FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, Universal Robots, or similar technologies.
• Experience implementing machine tending, material handling, automated inspection, or collaborative robot (cobot) applications.
• Strong understanding of robotic cell design, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), machine integration, sensors, vision systems, and automated production equipment.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networking, machine controls, and automation architectures sufficient to guide system integrators and equipment suppliers.
• Experience commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimizing manufacturing equipment in a production environment.
• Knowledge of machine safety principles, risk assessments, and industrial automation safety standards.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in machining, metal fabrication, forging, industrial manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or other discrete manufacturing environments.
• Practical application of Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement (CI), Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Operational Excellence, Root Cause Analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience using CI tools such as Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Standard Work, OEE improvement, SMED, and waste reduction initiatives to drive productivity and operational performance.
• Experience deploying automation in facilities with limited prior automation infrastructure and limited manufacturing engineering resources.
• Experience leading multi-site automation implementations and technology adoption initiatives.

Join HBD and help build the next generation of manufacturing automation across our growing industrial footprint.

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to VP Operational Excellence.

Travel Required

The automation projects will require on-the-ground project management at the sites where the implementations are taking place. The role will require up to two (2) weeks per month of travel. There is no fixed schedule for the travel. Projects that are in the early phases will require less travel. Sites in the final phases of a project will require more. This role will determine where and when they will be at the factories. When not in an HBD factory, the role can work from home. Home base would preferably be in southern California, North Carolina, or Georgia. These are areas where the automation projects will most likely start.

The estimated base salary range for this position is $130,000 - $150,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, geographic location, internal equity, and business needs.

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

HBD Industries is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.