Senior Manager Automation

GEA Group; Janesville (WI); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

23 days vacation per year

International exposure

Internal training & career development

Top Employer 2026

Job summary

GEA is seeking a Senior Manager Automation to lead automation project execution, manage engineering teams, and drive growth through customer-focused solutions. This role blends project management, people leadership, and technical automation expertise to ensure successful delivery of automation, regular, and service projects aligned with customer requirements, company standards, and budget targets.

The successful candidate will serve as a key interface between customers, project teams,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Automation Engineering or related field
• PM/PRINCE2 or equivalent certification for project leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, regular, and service projects from start to finish.
• Ensure projects meet customer specs, functional analysis, and company standards.
• Mentor Automation Engineers and ensure professional development of the team.
• Interface with customers, project teams, engineering resources, and sales.
• Drive continuous improvement in project execution processes and tools.
• Assist in project estimations and support quotation phases.
• Promote adherence to engineering standards and best practices.
• Travel up to 20% as required by projects.

Skills

Automation leadership

Project management

People management

Technical expertise

Customer interface

Education

Master's in Automation Engineering

PM/PRINCE2 certification

Tools

PM methodologies

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Manager Automation to lead automation project execution, manage engineering teams, and support business growth through customer-focused solutions. This role combines project management, people leadership, and technical automation expertise, ensuring successful delivery of automation, regular, and service projects in accordance with customer requirements, company standards, quality expectations, and budget targets.

The successful candidate will act as a key interface between customers, project teams, engineering resources, and sales functions while driving continuous improvement in engineering and project execution processes.

Project & Automation Management

• Manage automation, regular, and service projects from initiation through completion.
• Ensure automation project compliance with customer specifications, functional analysis, company norms, and automation standards.
• Organize and initiate automation project execution within approved budget frameworks.
• Drive project performance while balancing quality, cost, and delivery commitments.
• Continuously evaluate and mitigate risks across projects and quotations.
• Make product customization decisions during project execution when required.
• Support project teams throughout execution, including on-site support when necessary.
• Lead, supervise, evaluate, and mentor Automation Engineers and Lead Automation Engineers.
• Support the professional growth and development of team members.
• Promote the consistent application of project methodologies and internal procedures.
• Ensure adherence to engineering standards, processes, and best practices.

Customer & Business Support

• Act as a primary point of contact for customers regarding project scope, planning, and delivery.
• Negotiate project scope and execution timelines with customers.
• Identify customer needs and translate them into business opportunities.
• Collaborate closely with Sales and After Sales teams.
• Perform project estimations and provide technical support during quotation and proposal phases.
• Ensure automation quotation processes meet established procedures and quality standards.
• Drive continuous optimization of engineering tools, methods, and project execution processes.
• Participate in internal improvement initiatives and contribute to organizational excellence.
• Support the implementation of best practices across projects and engineering activities.

Your profile and qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Automation Engineering or a related field.
• Professional Project Management certification (PMP, PRINCE2, or equivalent).

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in Automation and/or Electrical Engineering.
• Broad experience in project execution and project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams and mentoring engineering professionals.
• Experience managing customer-facing projects and stakeholder relationships.

Languages

• French, Portuguese, and/or German considered a strong advantage.
• Planning and organizational skills
• Results orientation
• Quality focus
• Customer orientation (internal and external)
• Decision-making capability
• Leadership and people development
• Stress tolerance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Technical Skills

• Office software proficiency
• Automation and electrical engineering expertise
• Project management methodologies and tools

Travel Requirements

• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, depending on project and customer requirements.

We offer:

Attractive compensation package aligned with experience, responsibilities, and international exposure.

• Flexible working hours and a hybrid working model (up to two days per week remote).
• 23 days of vacation per year.
• An excellent work environment within an international, collaborative, and technically strong engineering team.
• Continuous internal training and career development opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
• The opportunity to join a company recognized as a Top Employer 2026.

About GEA

GEA is one of the largest suppliers for the food and beverage processing industry and a wide range of other process industries. Approximately 18,000 employees in more than 60 countries contribute significantly to GEA’s success – come and join them! We offer interesting and challenging tasks, a positive working environment in international teams and opportunities for personal development and growth in a global company.

GEA is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will therefore receive consideration for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, world view, national origin, genetics, disability, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other protected characteristic required by applicable law. Applicants with disabilities are welcome and will be given special consideration if they are equally qualified.

GEA careers

We’re a global industrial engineering company and one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, and many others. GEA offers exciting and diverse training and career opportunities around the world.

GEA’s heritage stretches back more than 140 years. Today, we operate in resilient customer industries with a dedicated workforce of more than 18,000 employees and conduct business with more than 150 countries.