Senior Automation

    Highlights

    Coordinate cross-functional teams including Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, Supply Chain, and external automation suppliers. Lead equipment procurement activities including RFQ development, supplier evaluations, technical bid reviews, FAT, SAT, and final acceptance activities.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationFlorence, SC

    Description

    Responsibilities:
    • Lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced automation and controls systems for manufacturing operations.
    • Serve as the subject matter expert for PLC architecture, HMI development, motion control, robotics, industrial networks, and machine safety systems.
    • Develop automation strategies supporting factory modernization, capacity expansion, productivity improvement, and operational excellence objectives.
    • Lead automation capital projects from concept development, technical specification, and business case approval through commissioning and production stabilization.
    • Perform controls architecture design, hardware specification, programming standards development, system validation, and lifecycle support planning.
    • Manage industrial robot integration, robot programming, end-of-arm tooling requirements, cell optimization, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance strategies.
    • Coordinate cross-functional teams including Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, IT/OT, Supply Chain, and external automation suppliers.
    • Lead equipment procurement activities including RFQ development, supplier evaluations, technical bid reviews, FAT, SAT, and final acceptance activities.
    • Establish automation and controls standards across manufacturing operations to improve system reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and supportability.
    • Drive digital manufacturing initiatives including IIoT connectivity, data collection, machine monitoring, remote diagnostics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
    • Support new product introductions through process automation, assembly equipment development, manufacturing system integration, and production readiness activities.
    • Identify productivity improvement opportunities through robotics, vision systems, automated material handling, error-proofing, and equipment modernization.
    • Analyze equipment performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve OEE, downtime reduction, throughput, labor efficiency, and yield.
    • Provide technical leadership during equipment installation, startup, debugging, safety validation, commissioning, operator training, and production ramp-up.
    • Coach engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel in automation, robotics, controls troubleshooting, and structured problem-solving best practices.
    Requirements:
    • 8+ years of experience in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, robotics integration, or industrial equipment development.
    • Proven experience leading automation capital projects from concept and technical specification through production implementation.
    • Demonstrated expertise in PLC programming, robot programming, machine safety, controls architecture, and manufacturing system integration.
    • Experience supporting high-volume or complex industrial manufacturing environments with production-critical equipment.
    • Experience managing automation suppliers, system integrators, equipment builders, and technical service partners.

    External Skills and Expertise:

    • Industrial Robotics Programming.
    • Advanced PLC Programming and Controls Architecture using Rockwell/Allen-Bradley platforms.

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