Manager Automation (Manufacturing)

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Manager Automation
Employment Classification: Regular Full-Time Exempt
Location: Plano, TX
About The Company: 
Our Cient is a global leader in electronic components and solutions, headquartered in Taiwan. Established in 1975, the company has built a strong reputation for innovation and manufacturing excellence across key areas such as power electronics, optoelectronics, automotive electronics, and cloud infrastructure solutions. Our Client serves a diverse customer base worldwide, including top-tier technology companies, by delivering high-quality, reliable products that meet evolving industry standards and performance expectations.
With a strong emphasis on operational efficiency, quality management, and continuous innovation, our Client operates manufacturing and R&D facilities across Asia, Europe, and North America. The company is committed to sustainability, digital transformation, and advancing next-generation technologies while maintaining a customer-centric approach. Through its global footprint and engineering expertise, our Client continues to play a critical role in enabling modern electronics and supporting the growth of high-tech industries.
Key Responsibilities:
Automation Strategy & Leadership:

• Define and execute the site and program-level automation roadmap aligned with Client's global manufacturing strategy.
• Identify high-impact automation opportunities across assembly, test, material handling, packaging, and inspection processes.
• Lead automation technology selection, standardization, and best-practice deployment.

Project & Program Management:

• Lead end-to-end automation projects from concept, feasibility, and ROI analysis through design, build, validation, and handover to production.
• Manage multiple concurrent automation programs with clear timelines, budgets, and risk mitigation plans.
• Ensure projects meet safety, quality, performance, and cost objectives.

Technical Oversight:

• Oversee automation system architecture including robotics, PLCs, vision systems, conveyors, testers, and MES/ERP integration.
• Provide technical guidance to automation, controls, and software engineering teams.
• Ensure automation solutions are robust, scalable, and maintainable.

Manufacturing & Operations Support:

• Partner with Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance to ensure automation supports throughput, yield, and uptime goals.
• Drive reduction in labor dependency, cycle time, defects, and operational variation.
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and production ramp-ups with automated solutions.

Cost & Performance Improvement:

• Deliver measurable improvements in productivity, labor efficiency, yield, and cost per unit through automation investment.
• Track automation KPIs including ROI, OEE improvement, cycle time reduction, and system uptime.
• Control capital expenditures and justify investments through data-driven business cases.

People Leadership & Capability Building:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of automation, controls, and engineering professionals.
• Build internal automation capabilities and knowledge sharing across sites.
• Support talent development, succession planning, and workforce upskilling.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field;Master’s degree preferred.
• 10–12+ years of experience in manufacturing automation or industrial engineering, preferably in electronics or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing automation teams, projects, and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong hands-on experience in:
• Factory automation, robotics, and process optimization.
• PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industrial controls.
• Vision systems, robotics integration, and smart manufacturing technologies.
• Proven track record of successfully delivering end-to-end automation projects with measurable improvements in efficiency, cost reduction, and quality.
• Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and scaling automation solutions in production environments.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Ability to lead capacity planning, line design, and automation strategy for manufacturing operations.
• Experience collaborating with global teams, suppliers, and equipment vendors for automation deployment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience presenting to senior leadership.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies (IoT, data analytics, digital manufacturing) is a strong plus.
• Experience in cost justification, ROI analysis, and capital equipment planning (CAPEX) preferred.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Travel Requirement:

• 10-15% travel, subject to change based on business needs.