Director Automation & Controls Engineering

Location: Southern California | 100% Onsite

About the Company

Our client is an advanced manufacturing company developing next-generation production systems for the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. The company combines robotics, automation, software, and advanced manufacturing technologies to build flexible, scalable manufacturing systems.

With new equipment programs and factory expansion underway, the company is investing in the automation architectures, engineering standards, and organizational capabilities needed to support future growth.

The Role

Our client is seeking a Director of Automation & Controls Engineering to lead the development and scaling of its industrial automation organization.

This role spans electrical systems, PLCs, HMI, SCADA, motion control, robotics, machine safety, and factory data infrastructure. You will oversee complex equipment development from initial requirements through commissioning and production validation while establishing scalable architectures and standards for future factories.

The position combines organizational leadership with strong technical involvement. You will develop engineers and technical leaders, build specialized hardware and software teams, and provide direction across the controls stack. Key priorities include developing new automated assembly and coatings systems, improving existing equipment reliability, and establishing the automation foundation for multi-factory expansion.

What You'll Own

• Lead complex automation and capital equipment programs from requirements and architecture through design, integration, commissioning, and production release.

• Establish reusable controls architectures, software frameworks, engineering standards, and factory-level SCADA and data systems.

• Balance new equipment development with sustaining engineering, reliability improvements, and production support.

• Define the technical roadmap for industrial robotics, advanced automation, and increasingly autonomous manufacturing.

• Build and scale the controls organization through hiring, coaching, delegation, and development of technical leaders and engineering managers.

• Establish clear project priorities, resource allocation, engineering processes, and accountability.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, R&D, and operations to deliver reliable, scalable production systems.

• Drive continuous improvement in equipment performance, maintainability, and engineering efficiency.

What You'll Need

• 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, robotics, or complex automated equipment development.

• Approximately 4+ years of people management experience, with a track record of leading engineering teams and delivering complex programs.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or a related field.

• Meaningful experience across both hardware and software controls, including electrical systems, machine safety, motion control, PLCs, HMI, and SCADA.

• Experience delivering complex automated equipment from initial requirements through commissioning and validated production.

• Strong technical leadership skills, with the ability to mentor engineers and engage in machine-level technical challenges when needed.

• Ability to work 100% onsite in Southern California.

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export-control requirements.

Nice to Have

• Experience scaling controls architectures, engineering standards, and automation systems across multiple factories or machine fleets.

• Strong SCADA, factory data integration, and industrial networking experience.

• Beckhoff TwinCAT, IEC 61131-3 Structured Text, and motion control expertise.

• Industrial robotics experience, including simulation, offline programming, or virtual commissioning.

• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 79, UL 508A, functional safety, and machine risk assessment.

• Background in complex capital equipment, semiconductor manufacturing, additive manufacturing, CNC machinery, automotive automation, or aerospace and space hardware.

• Experience building engineering organizations in startup or high-growth manufacturing environments.

Compensation

The total compensation package includes equity and discretionary performance-based bonus opportunities, medical coverage, life and disability insurance, paid vacation and holidays, paid parental leave, a year-end shutdown, and professional development support.

The company is targeting the Director level but may consider exceptional Senior Manager or Senior Director candidates based on experience and scope of responsibility.