Advanced Automation Engineering Manager

Position: Advanced Automation Engineering Manager - HSIO Overpass Solutions

Location: Nashua, NH / Valley Green, PA /  Chicago, IL

Amphenol High Speed Input Output is a market leader in high speed, high bandwidth interconnect solutions for the Telecom/Datacom market including AI infrastructure, storage, servers, routers, switches, networking and high-performance computing applications. Our products help to enable the electronics revolution and remain a key enabler for the major Tier 1 OEMs globally. We are currently seeking an Automation Strategy Manager for HSIO Overpass Solutions to join our High Speed I/O team. This role will lead automation strategy across new product introduction, process development, rapid deployment and global manufacturing readiness.

SUMMARY:

The Automation Strategy Manager will own the automation roadmap for HSIO Overpass Solutions and ensure automation is aligned with product development timelines, manufacturing readiness, capacity needs, quality requirements and global deployment plans. This position will partner with product engineering, NPI, process engineering, tooling, quality, operations, suppliers and manufacturing sites to identify automation opportunities, define automation architecture, influence product and fixture design and scale solutions from concept through production ramp.

 RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the planning and execution of automation strategies for global NPI programs.
• Lead the development and execution of automation strategies for HSIO Overpass Solutions across NPI, pilot builds and production ramp.
• Create and maintain a global automation roadmap aligned with product platforms, customer timelines, manufacturing capacity and cost reduction targets.
• Identify automation opportunities early in the product lifecycle and drive recommendations on manual, semi-automated and fully automated process strategies.
• Collaborate with product design, process engineering and NPI teams to ensure Overpass products are designed for automated assembly, inspection, material handling and testing.
• Review product designs to identify automation constraints, risks and opportunities related to part geometry, tolerances, fixture strategy, process sequence and manufacturing flow.
• Influence fixture design, tooling concepts, part orientation, assembly sequence and inspection requirements to support automation compatibility.
• Participate in design reviews, DFMs, DFTs, FMEAs and risk assessments to ensure manufacturability, scalability and automation readiness.
• Define critical product and process parameters required for robust automation and ensure they are reflected in documentation, tooling requirements and process specifications.
• Lead strategic planning for automation equipment development, including equipment specifications, supplier engagement, FAT/SAT planning, commissioning, validation and production handoff.
• Work closely with external suppliers, internal automation teams and manufacturing sites on new equipment, tooling, controls, robotics, vision systems and process technologies.
• Support installation, commissioning, validation and ramp-up of automation systems at domestic and international manufacturing locations.
• Drive standardization of automation platforms, equipment documentation, spare parts strategy, maintenance plans, training materials and process control methods across regions.
• Partner with global manufacturing sites to assess readiness for automation deployment, including facilities, utilities, staffing, technical capability, maintenance support and process controls.
• Manage multiple concurrent automation initiatives and communicate strategy, risks, timing, resource needs and business impact to senior leadership.
• Develop metrics to track automation readiness, equipment performance, yield, throughput, downtime, cost savings and deployment effectiveness.
• Mentor engineers and technicians involved in automation development, deployment and sustaining support.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in an Engineering field.  Advanced degree is a plus for leadership and global coordination
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related technical discipline. Advanced degree is a plus.
• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, process development, NPI, equipment deployment or related technical leadership role.
• Experience in high-speed interconnects, connectors, cable assemblies, backplane systems or precision electromechanical products strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing or deploying automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of Design for Manufacturability, Design for Automation, Design for Test, FMEA, process validation and manufacturing-readiness practices.
• Experience in preparing automation equipment specifications and working with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Familiarity with PLCs, robotics, vision systems, HMI/SCADA systems, sensors, pneumatics, actuators, barcode readers, inspection systems and industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with FAT, SAT, commissioning, validation and production ramp of automation equipment.
• Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple high-priority programs simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to identify cause-and-effect relationships, evaluate tradeoffs and make data-driven recommendations.
• Well organized and comfortable working in a matrixed environment with cross-functional, geographically dispersed and culturally diverse engineering, quality, manufacturing, vendor and customer teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills at all levels, from manufacturing floor to executive leadership.
• Willingness to travel globally to support equipment development, supplier reviews, factory readiness, deployment and production ramp; estimated travel requirement 25-50% depending on program phase.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience supporting automation strategy for high-speed cable, connector or interconnect products.
• Experience scaling automation from prototype or pilot production into global manufacturing.
• Experience with rapid deployment environments requiring fast-turn design, tooling, validation and manufacturing readiness.
• Experience building automation roadmaps tied to capacity, labor efficiency, yield improvement, quality and customer program timing.
• Experience managing or mentoring automation engineers, process engineers, technicians or equipment-development teams.

Amphenol Corporation is proud of our reputation as an excellent employer. Our main focus is to provide the highest level of support and responsiveness to both our employees and our customers, the world's largest technology companies. Amphenol Corporation offers the opportunity for career growth within a global organization. We believe that Amphenol Corporation is unique in that every employee, regardless of his or her position, has the ability to positively impact the business.

Amphenol is an "Equal Opportunity Employer" - Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin.

For additional company information please visit our website at https://www.amphenol-cs.com/