Validation Manager

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Validation & Construction Manager to lead our growing field validation and equipment installation team. This is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the end-to-end lifecycle of OEM equipment from internal validation through customer site commissioning and turnover. The ideal candidate brings a strong combination of people leadership, project management discipline, and hands-on technical experience with automation equipment, validation protocols, and field service operations.

Note: “Construction” in this context refers to the assembly, installation, and commissioning of highly specialized OEM manufacturing equipment including warehouse automation systems, automated cells, conveyance systems, and precision machinery at customer sites across North America.

Key Responsibilities:

• Directly manage and develop a field team, currently six engineers/technicians, with a growth trajectory toward approximately 10 personnel
• Provide technical direction, mentorship, and performance oversight for team members in the field
• Foster a safety-first culture and ensure all team members adhere to OSHA standards and site-safety requirements
• Own equipment once internal operations completes assembly and transfers ownership to the validation function
• Lead internal Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and oversee Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at customer locations
• Manage IQ/OQ/PQ protocols (Installation Qualification, Operational Qualification, Product Qualification)
• Ensure documentation, compliance checkpoints, and quality standards are met throughout the validation lifecycle
• Coordinate customer-site installation activities, including managing local contractors and craft labor
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and key milestones from factory handoff through final customer turnover
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for field teams encountering technical challenges; provide root-cause guidance and problem-solving support
• Coordinate field service dispatch when customer support requires on-site resources

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing technical teams in a field service, OEM equipment, or industrial automation environment
• Strong project management skills, including ownership of budgets, schedules, milestones, and multi-site coordination
• Direct experience with equipment startup, validation, and commissioning — including FAT, SAT, and IQ/OQ/PQ protocols
• Background in automation, automated manufacturing systems, conveyance, or related OEM equipment installation and commissioning
• Understanding of site-safety standards; OSHA 10 certification or equivalent experience preferred
• Associate's degree or higher in Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related field (Bachelor's degree preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with warehouse automation, automated cells, or precision manufacturing equipment
• Exposure to robotics-integrated systems or automated production environments
• Background in field service leadership with direct customer-facing accountability
• Familiarity with high-speed or precision OEM machinery in regulated or quality-driven manufacturing environments

Compensation & Additional Details:

Base Salary: $110,000 – $130,000 depending on experience

Profit Sharing: 4% company profit sharing directed to retirement funds based on company objectives

Location: On-site daily — West Chester, Ohio

Travel: Up to 20% (primarily North American customer sites; actual travel may be minimal)

Relocation: Considered on a case-by-case basis as part of overall offer negotiations