Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering

Hobson & Motzer Inc•Wallingford Center, CT

6h•Onsite

About The Position

Vantedge Medical is a leading metals-based med-tech solutions partner, specializing in precision engineering for medical markets like Robotic Assisted Surgery, Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments, and Dental. They also support AI data center hyperscalers through their Vander-Bend division. The company is driven by a mission to improve patient lives through technological advancement. The Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering role is a leadership position responsible for an in-house team of approximately nine engineers and technicians. This role involves owning the automation function's capital planning, cross-functional coordination, and serving as the primary interface for automation investment and prioritization with Finance, Operations, Commercial, and site leadership. The successful candidate will assess current manufacturing processes, develop automation solutions, and remain technically hands-on while leading the automation team. This is a highly collaborative role within a regulated medical device and AI data center manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Engineering or bachelor’s degree in a technical field (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, or related)
Minimum 10 years hands-on experience in automation and controls engineering (design, build, and implementation of robotics, PLC programming, machine vision, fixturing, material handling, etc.)
Progressive team- or project-leadership responsibility
Demonstrated people-leadership experience and a collaborative style
Ability to build strong relationships across engineering, operations, and site teams
Experience owning automation capital planning (budgetary estimates, ROI/payback, CERs, capital justification)
Experience managing vendor/integrator-supplied projects
Working knowledge of applicable machine-safety and electrical standards
Medical device or other regulated-industry manufacturing experience
Excellent communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Nice To Haves

Experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment, ideally metals-based (CNC machining, stamping, welding, EDM, and assembly)
Business or financial acumen (e.g., MBA)
Experience presenting capital proposals to executive leadership

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing automation team of approximately nine automation engineers and technicians.
Manage the team's priorities, workload, and establish operating cadence with pipeline visibility and delivery commitments.
Coach and develop the team's technical, business, and commercial acumen, including customer requirements, cost drivers, and production realities.
Recruit and retain automation talent.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with site engineering, Site Directors of Operations, and production teams.
Establish and support automation design practices, safety standards, and documentation across facilities.
Provide hands-on technical leadership in robotics, PLC/controls, machine vision, fixturing, and material handling.
Remain hands-on in the design, integration, debug, and validation of automated cells.
Ensure automation designs meet applicable machine-safety and electrical standards.
Evaluate emerging technologies and guide build-versus-buy decisions.
Support qualification and validation of automated processes in accordance with medical device and industry quality requirements.
Assess current-state manufacturing processes across all sites to identify safety, productivity, and quality-improvement opportunities.
Develop automation concepts, cost estimates, and ROI/payback analyses for quoting.
Build and prioritize a pipeline of automation initiatives.
Own the capital planning process for automation, including creating and justifying Capital Expenditure Requests and business cases.
Serve as the interface to Finance, Operations, Commercial, and site leadership on automation investment and prioritization.
Lead vendor and integrator discovery, engagement, and selection, owning key vendor relationships.