Manufacturing OT Manager

Slate Auto•Warsaw, IN

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.

Requirements

12+ years related experience with Bachelor's degree, 8 years with Master's degree, 5 years with PhD or equivalent experience
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation, Information Technology, or equivalent experience
5+ years of experience in OT or IT, automation, or controls engineering in a manufacturing environment
3+ years in a leadership or management role
Working knowledge of OT cybersecurity principles and frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST CSF)
Experience supporting automotive manufacturing operations (body, paint, assembly, or stamping)
Strong understanding of IT/OT convergence, MES integration, and industrial data architectures

Nice To Haves

Experience with new model launches or major capital projects in an automotive plant
Familiarity with customer-specific cybersecurity and quality requirements (Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota, BMW, etc.)
Knowledge of IATF 16949, PFMEA, and control plan processes
Certifications such as GICSP (Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional), CSSA, or Rockwell/Siemens automation credentials
Experience with IIoT platforms, data historians (OSIsoft PI, Ignition), and analytics tools
Strategic thinking with the ability to execute at a tactical level
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across operations, IT, and engineering
Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive results in a fast-paced production environment
Sound judgment in balancing cybersecurity rigor with operational availability
Effective vendor negotiation and contract management
Data-driven decision making and continuous improvement mindset

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and mentor a team of OT engineers and technicians supporting 24/7 automotive manufacturing operations
Define and execute the OT department roadmap, including automation upgrades, cybersecurity maturity, and digital transformation initiatives
Develop department budget, manage capital expenditure requests, and optimize operational spending
Establish OT policies, standards, and procedures aligned with plant and corporate objectives
Serve as the primary OT stakeholder in plant leadership meetings, capital project planning, and new model launch reviews
Own the plant OT cybersecurity program, including risk assessments, vulnerability management, and incident response
Enforce network segmentation between IT and OT environments and manage secure remote access for vendors and integrators
Ensure compliance with customer cybersecurity mandates (Ford GISRS, GM cybersecurity standards, Stellantis requirements) and industry frameworks (IEC 62443, NIST CSF)
Lead response and recovery efforts in the event of an OT cybersecurity incident
Oversee all plant OT assets including PLCs, robotics controllers, SCADA, HMI, MES integrations, industrial networks, and end-of-line test systems
Ensure backup, version control, and disaster recovery procedures are in place for all critical control systems and robot programs
Manage the OT asset inventory and drive obsolescence mitigation planning for aging equipment
Direct plant networking infrastructure supporting production zones including body shop, paint shop, general assembly, stamping, and material handling
Ensure OT systems support plant uptime targets and contribute to OEE improvement initiatives
Establish and maintain on-call support structure to ensure 24/7 OT coverage for production operations
Drive root cause analysis and corrective action for OT-related downtime events
Collaborate with maintenance, manufacturing engineering, and production leadership to prioritize and resolve control system issues
Own the OT change management process, ensuring all modifications to control systems are documented, approved, and communicated to production
Lead OT workstreams for new model launches, annual changeovers, and capital improvement projects
Manage Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new automation equipment
Oversee robot reprogramming and control system updates tied to retooling and product changes
Collaborate with IT to ensure secure and effective data flows between plant floor systems and enterprise platforms (SAP, MES, quality systems)
Lead or support IIoT, data historian, and analytics initiatives on the plant floor
Evaluate and pilot emerging OT technologies to improve production efficiency, quality, and visibility
Manage relationships with automation OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors (Rockwell, Siemens, FANUC, KUKA, ABB, etc.)
Negotiate and oversee support contracts, licensing agreements, and service-level agreements for OT systems
Coordinate vendor access to plant floor systems in compliance with cybersecurity and safety policies
Act as primary OT contact for customer representatives and third-party auditors
Ensure OT systems and processes support IATF 16949 certification requirements
Maintain traceability system integrity for safety-critical processes including welds, torque, and adhesive applications
Support internal and external audits related to process control, cybersecurity, and system documentation
Ensure all OT activities comply with OSHA machine safety standards and plant lockout/tagout procedures
Define staffing requirements and lead recruiting efforts for OT engineering and technician roles
Establish training plans for OT staff covering control systems, cybersecurity awareness, and automotive manufacturing processes
Develop succession plans and cross-training programs to reduce key-person dependency
Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration within the OT team