Senior Automation Program Manager

Confidentiel; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidentiel is seeking a Senior Automation Program Manager to lead manufacturing automation and capital equipment projects from concept through commissioning across North American facilities. The role drives the transition from manual processes to scalable automated solutions, including robotic welding, chassis fabrication, fiberglass manufacturing, machine tending, and automated assembly.

The ideal candidate combines manufacturing engineering expertise with program management, capital

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 10+ years in manufacturing engineering, automation, advanced manufacturing, or industrial engineering.
• At least 5 years leading projects or programs for complex technical initiatives.
• Proven success leading automation projects from concept through commissioning and production launch.
• Experience transitioning traditional, low-volume/high-mix manual manufacturing to automated production processes.
• Proven ability to develop capital expenditure proposals, evaluate ROI, manage budgets, and present to leadership.
• Experience working with external automation vendors, equipment manufacturers, or system integrators.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, Lean principles, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation safety standards (RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, NFPA).
• Willingness to travel extensively to North American facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple manufacturing automation projects simultaneously from opportunity identification through commissioning and production launch.
• Develop CapEx proposals with financial justifications, cost estimates, and robust business cases.
• Drive Lean manufacturing improvements to enhance flow, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Manage system integrators and equipment suppliers; RFQs, vendor reviews, and acceptance testing.
• Lead cross-functional programs with manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, safety, maintenance, finance, and plant leadership.
• Maintain project scope, budget, timelines, resources, PO management, and milestones per standards.
• Support production readiness through validated equipment designs, installation, and ramp-up.
• Facilitate workshops to define scope, evaluate technologies, and establish preliminary cost estimates.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Automation Program Manager to lead manufacturing automation and capital equipment projects from concept through commissioning across multiple North American manufacturing facilities. This role will drive the transition from manual and labor-intensive processes to efficient, scalable automated manufacturing solutions. Projects may include robotic welding, chassis frame fabrication, fiberglass manufacturing, machine tending, automated assembly, and other advanced manufacturing applications.

The ideal candidate combines strong manufacturing engineering expertise with proven program management, capital investment planning, vendor management, and cross-functional leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead Automation Projects: Manage multiple manufacturing automation projects simultaneously, from opportunity identification and concept development through design, installation, commissioning, and production launch.
• Develop Capital Investment Strategies: Build and present CapEx proposals, financial justifications, cost estimates, and business cases aligned with safety, quality, productivity, labor efficiency, and throughput objectives.
• Drive Manufacturing Process Improvement: Identify automation opportunities and develop Lean manufacturing solutions that improve production flow, reduce waste, enhance quality, and optimize manufacturing performance.
• Manage System Integrators and Equipment Suppliers: Develop equipment specifications and requests for quotation (RFQs), evaluate vendors, coordinate design reviews, negotiate equipment purchases, and oversee acceptance testing.
• Lead Cross-Functional Programs: Partner with manufacturing engineering, operations, quality, safety, maintenance, finance, and plant leadership to align requirements, resources, schedules, and implementation plans.
• Ensure Project Execution: Maintain control of project scope, budgets, timelines, resource allocation, purchase orders, documentation, and project milestones while ensuring compliance with applicable company standards.
• Support Production Readiness: Validate equipment designs, coordinate installation and commissioning, establish standardized work instructions and process controls, and ensure successful production ramp-up.
• Facilitate Automation Concept Development: Conduct workshops with manufacturing teams to define project scope, evaluate automation technologies, develop process layouts, create man-machine charts and physical mockups, and establish preliminary cost estimates.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, advanced manufacturing, or industrial engineering.
• At least 5 years of project or program leadership experience, including responsibility for complex technical initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading automation projects from concept through commissioning and production launch.
• Experience transitioning traditional, low-volume/high-mix manual manufacturing operations to automated production processes.
• Proven ability to develop capital expenditure proposals, evaluate return on investment, manage project budgets, and present recommendations to leadership.
• Experience working with external automation vendors, equipment manufacturers, or system integrators.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, production efficiency, Lean principles, and continuous improvement.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation safety standards and applicable requirements, including RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, and NFPA.
• Willingness to travel extensively to manufacturing facilities across North America as project requirements dictate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma, or other relevant technical certifications.
• Experience with robotic welding, material handling, machine tending, automated assembly, fiberglass manufacturing, or similar industrial processes.
• Experience implementing automation across multiple manufacturing facilities.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique:

This is an opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy and implement automation solutions across a diverse production environment. The successful candidate will combine hands-on technical problem-solving with strategic program leadership to deliver measurable improvements in manufacturing safety, quality, cost, and throughput.

Work Authorization:

The employer is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Travel:

Estimated travel is 35%-40% at times.