Lead Automation Engineer

About the role

The Lead Automation Engineer provides technical leadership and hands-on automation expertise to support manufacturing operations. This role leads complex automation and digitalization projects end-to-end, ensuring solutions meet business needs, regulatory requirements, and operational excellence standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority for automation systems supporting manufacturing operations.
• Provide automation and digitalization support across capital projects, new product introductions, process improvements, and troubleshooting initiatives.
• Act as a key contributor to manufacturing investigations and quality events, developing short- and long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Lead automation projects from concept through post-implementation, including:
• Project scope definition and user requirements
• Appropriation requests, schedules, and budgets
• Qualification and validation planning
• Equipment specifications and documentation reviews
• Manage the purchase, installation, and start-up of equipment and automation systems, ensuring adherence to compliance, cost, and timeline commitments.
• Own project execution across all phases: Concept, Planning, Design, Implementation, and Post-Implementation.
• Lead project teams, including internal stakeholders, external consultants, and contractors.
• Accountable for automation project capital plans, monthly and quarterly spend, cash-flow forecasting, contingencies, and scope control.
• Act as area owner for the Long-Range Financial Plan (LRFP) and integrate automation initiatives with the 5-Year Asset Replacement Plan.
• Develop, review, and approve Computer System Validation (CSV) documentation in compliance with company, corporate, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure automation systems comply with applicable standards and best practices.
• Utilize formal project management tools, including: Project timelines and kickoff meetings, Risk and mitigation logs, Issue, action, and decision logs, Change management logs and stabilization plans.
• Perform complex assignments that may require the development of new or improved processes, systems, or technologies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Quality, IT, and Leadership to drive successful outcomes.
• Perform other related duties as required to support manufacturing and business objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a directly related technical field.
• Minimum 6 years of IT and/or Automation experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead internal and external technical resources within a collaborative, matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing large capital projects within defined schedule and budget constraints.
• Strong hands-on expertise with: PLC-based control systems, SCADA systems, Industrial electronic control systems.
• Working knowledge and application of ISA-88 and ISA-95 standards for batch control and MES implementations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven FPX project delivery results; FPX and/or PMP certification preferred.
• Experience managing and leading engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of Isolated Computing Environments (ICE Networks).
• Advanced troubleshooting skills for complex automation software systems.
• Able to design, modify, and optimize factory floor control architectures.
• Experience working effectively in highly matrixed environments.
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley, B&R, and AVEVA platforms.

Benefits

Annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges: $110,500.00 - $156,000.00 This takes into account a number of factors including work location, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level & other job-related factors. Competitive Benefit Package*Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Volunteer Time & More!Learning & Development OpportunitiesKenvuer Impact Networks