Senior Robotics & Automation Program Leader (Manufacturing)

Pmpforge; Asheville (NC); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel opportunities

Job summary

HBD Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Program Manager for manufacturing robotics to lead multi-site automation initiatives across U.S. operations.

This role will identify opportunities, justify investments, and deploy robotic solutions improving safety, quality, and throughput. The position requires travel up to two weeks per month, with home base preferred in Southern California, North Carolina, or Georgia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years leading manufacturing robotics projects in industrial environments.
• Experience building capital project business cases and ROI analyses.
• Experience managing automation vendors, system integrators, contractors, and suppliers.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership.
• Ability to influence plant leadership to adopt new automation technologies.

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, and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and labor utilization.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional leadership

ROI analysis

Stakeholder influence

Vendor management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

FANUC

ABB

KUKA

Yaskawa/Motoman

Universal Robots

Job description

HBD Industries is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Program Manager for manufacturing robotics to lead multi-site automation initiatives across U.S. operations.

This role will identify opportunities, justify investments, and deploy robotic solutions improving safety, quality, and throughput. The position requires travel up to two weeks per month, with home base preferred in Southern California, North Carolina, or Georgia.