Automation Manager

Actalent · Charles City, IA · Yesterday

On-siteEngineering$112k–$160k/yrFull-time

About the role

The Automation Manager serves as a first-line technical leader responsible for overseeing automation engineering activities and ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of control systems across a manufacturing site. This role combines hands-on engineering execution with people leadership, managing automation resources, developing team capabilities, and leading high-impact automation projects, system upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives in a highly automated, regulated environment.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise and mentor a team of automation engineers, technicians, and controls specialists, providing guidance, coaching, and support for their professional development.
Set clear performance goals for team members, conduct regular performance reviews, and support individual development and training plans.
Allocate team resources across capital projects, maintenance support, and continuous improvement initiatives to meet operational and strategic objectives.
Establish, enforce, and continuously improve automation standards, engineering procedures, and best practices for control systems across the site.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and innovation within the automation team and across cross-functional partners.
Act as project lead or subject matter expert on select automation projects, system upgrades, and complex integrations, ensuring successful delivery from concept through commissioning.
Provide hands-on design, programming, configuration, and commissioning support for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS systems.
Ensure automation systems meet operational performance, reliability, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance requirements.
Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, IT, maintenance, and quality teams to deliver integrated automation and control system solutions.
Review and approve automation design packages, control narratives, and change control documentation to ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
Lead the automation roadmap for the site, including system modernization, digital transformation, and process optimization initiatives.
Identify and evaluate opportunities for automation or advanced control to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and enhance product quality.
Oversee vendor and system integrator relationships, including defining scope, guiding project execution, and managing performance.
Ensure alignment of automation systems and projects with corporate IT/OT cybersecurity standards and practices.
Track, analyze, and report automation-related KPIs and reliability metrics to drive continuous improvement.
Maintain system lifecycle documentation and ensure that changes are properly controlled, documented, and recorded in accordance with change control procedures.
Manage and support Distributed Control Systems (DCS), primarily Siemens PCS 7, while leveraging experience with other DCS platforms as applicable.
Provide hands-on project engineering support, including programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis for automation and control systems.
Serve as the primary point of contact for contractors and external partners, answering technical questions, reviewing work, and ensuring project execution aligns with site standards and specifications.
Deliver ongoing onsite production support for automation systems in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, helping to maintain uptime and product quality.
Balance approximately 80% technical engineering responsibilities with leadership and management duties, transitioning over time to managing a team of 3–8 direct reports.
Support safe work practices in areas with exposure to chemicals, moving parts, vibration, and noise, and comply with all site safety procedures.

Requirements

Strong expertise in control system design and architecture for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS platforms.
Proficiency in PLC and HMI programming, including experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and similar systems.
Hands-on experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS); DCS systems experience is required for this manager role.
Specific experience managing and supporting Siemens PCS 7 systems, or comparable DCS platforms.
Strong understanding of industrial network communications and integration between automation and information systems.
Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments such as pharmaceutical, biotech, or chemical production.
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, IT, maintenance, and quality stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret KPIs and reliability metrics to drive improvements.
Prominent stakeholder management skills, including vendor and integrator relationship management.
Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds as needed in support of onsite activities.
Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders to access equipment and systems in the facility.
Comfort working in environments with exposure to chemicals, moving parts, vibration, and noise, while following all safety protocols and use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field is preferred.
Several years of engineering experience, including at least 2 years in a leadership or lead project role.
Experience in GMP-regulated environments and familiarity with validation documentation such as FDS, test protocols, and validation records.
Experience developing and enforcing automation standards, engineering procedures, and best practices.
Experience in process automation, data systems, and manufacturing reliability initiatives.
Experience leading system modernization, digital transformation, and process optimization projects.
Knowledge of IT/OT cybersecurity principles and standards relevant to industrial automation.
Experience in project management, including scope definition, planning, execution, and performance tracking.
Interest in growing into a larger leadership role as the automation team expands to 3–8 direct reports.

Skills

Strong expertise in control system design and architecture for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS platforms.
Proficiency in PLC and HMI programming, including experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and similar systems.
Hands-on experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
Specific experience managing and supporting Siemens PCS 7 systems, or comparable DCS platforms.
Strong understanding of industrial network communications and integration between automation and information systems.
Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments such as pharmaceutical, biotech, or chemical production.
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, IT, maintenance, and quality stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to interpret KPIs and reliability metrics to drive improvements.
Prominent stakeholder management skills, including vendor and integrator relationship management.
Ability to lift and move up to 25 pounds as needed in support of onsite activities.
Ability to climb stairs and/or ladders to access equipment and systems in the facility.
Comfort working in environments with exposure to chemicals, moving parts, vibration, and noise, while following all safety protocols and use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Experience in process automation, data systems, and manufacturing reliability initiatives.
Experience leading system modernization, digital transformation, and process optimization projects.
Knowledge of IT/OT cybersecurity principles and standards relevant to industrial automation.
Experience in project management, including scope definition, planning, execution, and performance tracking.
Interest in growing into a larger leadership role as the automation team expands to 3–8 direct reports.

Benefits

Competitive benefits including a 401(k) plan.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $112,000.00 - $160,000.00/yr.

Schedule

This is a full-time position based in Charles City, IA.

Work Environment

This role is based in a highly automated, 24/7 regulated manufacturing facility with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and product quality. The Automation Manager works closely with engineering, operations, IT, maintenance, and quality teams in a collaborative environment that emphasizes continuous improvement and innovation. The facility uses advanced automation technologies, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and Distributed Control Systems (primarily Siemens PCS 7), along with robust industrial networks and data systems. Work may involve time on the production floor and in control rooms, with exposure to chemicals, moving mechanical parts, vibration, and noise, and requires adherence to all safety procedures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. The organization offers growth opportunities, a comprehensive benefits package, and the chance to contribute to major capital projects and new product development in a nationally recognized pharmaceutical environment.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation, and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia, and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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