Head of Manufacturing Systems

Slate Auto • Troy, MI

13d • Onsite

About The Position

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

As the Head of Manufacturing Systems at Slate, you will be the leader and designer of our factory’s digital nervous system. You will lead the engineering team responsible for the interface between our physical machinery and our digital platforms as we stand up our plant in Warsaw, Indiana. This is a high-impact leadership role that goes beyond traditional IT. You will own the end-to-end architecture and integration of our core manufacturing stack, ensuring that our systems don't just exist in silos but work as a singular, automated engine. You will decide where we use "out-of-the-box" power and where we build custom software / hardware solutions to provide advanced and creative solutions. The Head of Enterprise Systems reports directly to the Chief Information Officer. Strong preference for candidates to be based in Warsaw, Indiana. Relocation assistance will be provided.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree is required, with a strong preference for a degree in a technical discipline such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, etc. Master's degree is preferred.
• Experience: 8+ years of experience in Industrial Automation, Manufacturing Systems, or Digital Transformation, with at least 3+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Integration Expertise: Proven track record of integrating complex systems (MES / ERP / QMS / CMMS) in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Full-Stack Industrial Knowledge: Deep understanding of the integration between Level 1 (PLC / Sensors), Level 2 (SCADA), and Level 3 (MES).
• Protocol & Standard Fluency: Expert knowledge of ISA-88/95 standards and communication protocols (OPC-UA, MQTT, Sparkplug B).
• Software Engineering: Experience with modern programming languages (Python, Go), paradigms (continuous deployment, version control), and architectures (high availability, message queuing).
• Systems Architect: You understand the full stack of manufacturing technology (ISA-95 model). You know how a signal from a PLC on the line could trigger a quality hold in the QMS or event in the MES system.
• Creative Technologist: You don't just follow the status quo. You look for ways to leverage modern tech (Edge computing, MQTT, AI) to make manufacturing faster and more transparent.
• Leader of Engineers: You know how to guide technical experts through complex problems, balancing the need for rigid standards with the need for creative "work-arounds" in a startup environment.
• Data Steward: You are obsessed with clean data. You believe that a well-defined integration layer is the foundation for all future AI and analytics.
• Must have the ability to travel (up to 50%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Systems Architecture & Integration: Lead the design and seamless integration of the "Factory Stack," across MES (Execution), QMS (Quality), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), CMMS (Maintenance Management), and more.
• Lead the Onsite Team: Manage and mentor a high-performing team of MES and related roles in Warsaw, ensuring technical excellence and rapid deployment of factory solutions.
• Define Data Standards: Establish and enforce unified data structures across PLCs, SCADA, and MES layers to ensure "plug-and-play" connectivity and flawless data ingestion into our central lakehouse.
• Orchestrate Design Coordination: Act as the primary technical liaison between the Automation, Manufacturing Engineering, and IT teams to ensure all shop-floor systems are harmonized.
• Custom Automation Solutions: Identify gaps in commercial software and lead the development of custom automation tools and hardware interfaces to optimize production.
• Creative Solutioning: Evaluate and implement a hybrid strategy of best-in-class industrial platforms (Ignition, Plex, Fuuz) and custom-developed applications to solve unique assembly challenges.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive