Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer
About The Position
The Lead Manufacturing Automation Engineer serves as the plant's primary authority for industrial automation systems, controls infrastructure, and operational technology (OT) environments supporting facility and production equipment. The role establishes technology standards, develops automation strategies, and leads modernization initiatives to improve safety, reliability, cybersecurity, and operational performance in a high-volume manufacturing environment. The position leads automation engineering initiatives and capital projects from concept through implementation and sustainment. It owns plant OT virtualization, visualization, and industrial network infrastructure, maintains automation standards and recovery documentation, and provides advanced troubleshooting for controls, HMI, SCADA, networking, and infrastructure issues. The engineer also supports OT cybersecurity programs and provides technical coaching and guidance to automation engineers and maintenance personnel. This is an onsite, second-shift position in Mount Holly, North Carolina. Relocation assistance is not available.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related technical discipline.
- At least 7 years of industrial automation, controls, and manufacturing systems experience.
- Demonstrated expertise in industrial automation systems, control system design, implementation, and support.
- Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms and associated control system architectures.
- Experience supporting, troubleshooting, and administering FactoryTalk View SE environments.
- Experience deploying, administering, and supporting ThinManager environments.
- Experience supporting industrial Ethernet networks and automation infrastructure.
- Ability to lead technical initiatives and influence cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- An attached resume is required.
Nice To Haves
- Experience administering VMware vSphere environments supporting FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, or other critical manufacturing applications.
- Experience with FactoryTalk AssetCentre, FactoryTalk Directory, and associated Rockwell software platforms.
- Experience with PLC, HMI, SCADA, and VFD migration projects.
- Experience with operational technology cybersecurity programs and industrial security frameworks.
- Systems integration experience within a highly automated manufacturing environment.
- Experience with FANUC robotics integration and robotic manufacturing systems.
- SQL database and manufacturing data systems experience.
- Familiarity with CISA recommendations, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and ISA/IEC 62443 standards.
Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate automation engineering initiatives involving controls systems, industrial automation, and supporting OT infrastructure; establish priorities, standards, and implementation strategies aligned with plant objectives.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and establish standards for future automation, controls, SCADA, and industrial networking solutions.
- Lead automation lifecycle and obsolescence management, identifying technologies approaching end of support and developing risk-reducing migration strategies.
- Develop and maintain the plant automation technology roadmap, including lifecycle management and replacement strategies for aging hardware and software.
- Lead capital automation projects from concept development through implementation and sustainment.
- Support plant initiatives focused on safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost improvement.
- Administer and maintain OT virtualization and visualization infrastructure, including VMware vSphere, FactoryTalk View SE, ThinManager, and other critical manufacturing applications.
- Design, maintain, and support industrial Ethernet and automation network infrastructure.
- Maintain plant-wide automation standards, documentation, backup strategies, and disaster recovery plans.
- Ensure PLC, HMI, SCADA, drive, and server backup systems remain current and recoverable.
- Provide advanced troubleshooting for complex controls, HMI, SCADA, networking, and infrastructure issues.
- Partner with Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Maintenance, Production, and Engineering teams to ensure reliable and secure manufacturing operations.
- Support OT cybersecurity initiatives through company standards and industry best practices, including vulnerability remediation, network segmentation, access control, patching strategies, and secure system architecture.
- Maintain familiarity with CISA guidance, ISA/IEC 62443 principles, and evolving OT cybersecurity requirements.
- Coach, mentor, and provide technical guidance to automation engineers and maintenance personnel.
- Keep current with advancements in automation technologies, industrial networking, virtualization, cybersecurity, and manufacturing systems.
Benefits
- Annual bonus program.
- 401(k) company contribution with company match up to 6%, plus a non-elective company contribution of 3–7% depending on age.
- Starting at 4 weeks of paid vacation.
- 13 or more calendar holidays.
- 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
- Employee assistance program.
- Comprehensive healthcare plans and wellness programs.
- Onsite fitness at some locations.
- Tuition assistance.
- Paid volunteer time off.
- Short-term and long-term disability plans.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
