Senior Process & Automation Engineering Lead

Socket.dev; Morgantown (WV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Process & Automation Engineering Manager to lead the Process & Automation Engineering team and partner with Operations and Maintenance to optimize manufacturing processes and automation systems.

The role focuses on improving throughput, yield, process stability, and equipment capability while ensuring compliance with GMP and food safety standards across the facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required (Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical).
• MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Process & Automation Engineering team, including coaching, development, succession planning, recruiting, onboarding, and performance management.
• Prioritize engineering resources and daily activities to support manufacturing operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and project execution.
• Own blending, aseptic processing and filling, and downline performance, ensuring processes operate safely, consistently, and within established operating parameters.
• Drive improvements in throughput, yield, process stability, product quality, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing performance through engineering excellence and structured problem solving.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of controls and automation systems, including automation standards, programming standards, and manufacturing technology solutions.
• Develop and maintain technical standards, engineering best practices, process documentation, specifications, and operating procedures supporting manufacturing operations.
• Partner with Operations and Maintenance & Reliability to eliminate chronic process and equipment losses while maintaining ownership of process capability and automation systems.
• Analyze manufacturing performance data and provide technical recommendations that improve safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.
• Support the commissioning, startup, validation, optimization, and lifecycle management of new process and automation systems.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies, automation solutions, and engineering improvements that enhance manufacturing capability and business performance.
• Collaborate with Technical Operations, Maintenance, Production and external vendors to coordinate priorities, resources, and execution plans that support business objectives.
• Ensure compliance with engineering policies, technical standards, SQF, Food Safety requirements, and all applicable regulatory and company standards.
• Communicate project timelines, critical updates, and team priorities on a weekly basis.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering experience

Leadership

Process engineering

Automation systems

Controls architecture

Manufacturing technologies

GMP/Food Safety knowledge

Project management

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Socket.dev is seeking a Process & Automation Engineering Manager to lead the Process & Automation Engineering team and partner with Operations and Maintenance to optimize manufacturing processes and automation systems.

The role focuses on improving throughput, yield, process stability, and equipment capability while ensuring compliance with GMP and food safety standards across the facility.