Automation Manager - Senior (Onsite)

Location: Asheville, NC (Onsite)

U.S. citizenship is required due to government contracts.

About the Role

At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, you’ll join 185,000 great minds united by purpose and inspired to solve the world’s most complex problems. Pratt & Whitney, a leader in aircraft engine design, manufacture, and service for over 100 years, is shaping the future of aerospace and defense.

In this role, you will lead the Automation team at the Asheville, NC site to implement, optimize, and sustain Automation & Advanced process control. Asheville will serve as the leading lighthouse site for this initiative, a critical part of Pratt & Whitney’s enterprise strategy for Digital Factory and modernization within Manufacturing Operational Excellence. This modernization supports Model-Based Definition, Manufacturing, and Inspection (MB-DMI) for work instructions and manufacturing execution, along with Industry 4.0 enablers such as automated tiered metrics, machine state monitoring, automated OEE/OLE, and digital andon systems. A key component of this effort is establishing the Operational Technology Network.

Responsibilities

• Define a vision, roadmap, and deployment strategy for factory automation at the Asheville site.
• Lead a team to implement automation of engineered processes, lean pull systems, changeovers, and integration of performance data.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define process capability needs, process control tools, and optimize data analysis.
• Lead and support initiatives to close gaps and optimize automation in manufacturing layout, factory build, equipment installation, manufacturing execution, data analytics, and quality-related activities.
• Drive standardization for equipment automation, method analysis, system layout, fixtures, tooling, and ergonomics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to incorporate SPS, MRL, and other tools (e.g., method analysis, system layout, robot simulation) to optimize manufacturing engineering and operations producibility.
• Ensure machine specifications for equipment purchases align with current and future automation and safety needs.
• Lead the team to create, document, and implement training for automation initiatives.
• Empower the automation team to develop and execute technical maturity and project plans aligned with the vision, roadmap, and deployment strategy.
• Serve as a key member in capital quoting, budgeting, cost management, investment, and financial return analysis for factory startup, reorganization, and expansion.
• Develop metrics to monitor and report on the health of transformation progress across all related initiatives.
• Effectively communicate and influence complex objectives, including status updates, to stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.
• Ensure proficiency documentation and advancement of the automation organization.
• Lead the team in adherence to CORE principles and contribute to achieving and maintaining related goals.
• Maintain a world-class safety culture and respond to all EH&S requirements within established procedures and guidelines.
• Promote corporate ethical standards, business practices, and company policies.
• Foster high-level communication and cooperation among team members.
• Stay current on developments in the plant, industry, and profession.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (technical degree and relevant experience considered).
• 10+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Quality, or equivalent, or an Advanced Degree with 8+ years of related experience.
• 10+ years of experience in CAD and/or Production Lifecycle Management (PLM/TeamCenter) software packages.
• Strong leadership skills with exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated, persistent, and results-focused with the ability to multitask and remove roadblocks for others.
• Proven experience managing complex projects in Industry 4.0, digital transformation, automation, or related fields.
• Knowledge of Smart Factory principles, technologies, and techniques.
• Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making and problem-solving.
• Strong leadership qualities to inspire and motivate teams toward project objectives and high-quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to develop business cases and Return on Investment (ROI) analyses.
• Technical background with understanding or hands-on experience in hardware, manufacturing, software, firmware, and electronics development.
• Continuous improvement mindset with excellent priority management and multitasking skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written), work collaboratively, and relate to people at all organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to government contracts.

Qualifications We Value

• NC programming experience, PLM, CAM, NX, Team Center, Solumina G7, SAP, and related systems.
• Technical proficiency in complex manufacturing activities.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing or industrial environments.
• Understanding of Pratt & Whitney/RTX business processes and their alignment with customer requirements.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $132,400 – $251,600 USD. The range is a good-faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including the role, function, responsibilities, work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Benefits

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee Scholar Program.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and holidays.

Eligibility for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may apply, depending on the position level and whether it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these programs are not guaranteed and depend on individual performance, business unit performance, and/or company performance.