HFS Automation Director

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation, Robotics, or related technical field.
- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, automation, advanced manufacturing, controls, or operations engineering.
- 5+ years of experience leading automation strategy, capital equipment deployment, manufacturing technology programs, or multi-site automation initiatives.
- Experience supporting or leading automation projects in aerospace, defense, precision manufacturing, fasteners, machining, forming, medical device, automotive, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of automation technologies, including robotics, PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, sensors, servos, motion control, safety systems, machine tending, data collection, and material handling.
- Experience developing automation standards, equipment specifications, project governance, or preferred technology approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and support site-based engineering teams without directly controlling every project.
- Experience building or reviewing business cases for automation investments.
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills with the ability to work across operations, engineering, quality, maintenance, IT, EHS, finance, and suppliers.
- Experience in aerospace fastener manufacturing or similar high-mix precision component manufacturing.
- Knowledge of cold heading, hot forming, thread rolling, machining, grinding, heat treat, coating, plating, inspection, and sorting operations.
- Experience with AS9100, NADCAP-related processes, customer audits, FAI, PFMEA, control plans, and aerospace traceability requirements.
- Experience integrating automation with MES, ERP, QMS, SPC, SCADA, machine data systems, or digital manufacturing platforms.
- Experience developing automation roadmaps across multiple sites or business units.
- Knowledge of OEE, TPM, Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, value stream mapping, SMED, mistake-proofing, and standard work.
- Experience managing strategic vendor and system integrator relationships.
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred but not required.

Critical Skills and Knowledge

The Director of Automation should have strong capability in:

- Enterprise automation strategy
- Multi-site automation governance
- Automation standards and architecture
- Robotics and machine tending
- Vision inspection and automated gaging
- PLCs, HMIs, sensors, controls, and safety systems
- Material handling and part presentation
- Aerospace quality and compliance
- Process capability and measurement system validation
- Capex planning and ROI analysis
- Lean manufacturing and process simplification
- MES/ERP/QMS integration
- Vendor and integrator management
- Coaching and supporting site automation engineers
- Scaling best practices across sites

Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefits/Salary:

The position includes competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), excellent 401k matching program, paid holidays and vacation. The annual salary range for this position is $200k - 240k.

Export-Controlled Data

- This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items. This export- control language can be added directly to the job posting in the Job Info box of the posting by selecting the sentence in the dropdown field titled "Export-Controlled Data" in section 4 of the job requisition.