Process & Automation Engineering Manager
Leads the Process & Automation Engineering team at a food and beverage manufacturing plant in Morgantown, WV, owning blending, aseptic filling, and controls/automation systems while driving improvements in throughput, yield, and equipment reliability. Core focus: manufacturing process engineering and automation leadership.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Morgantown, WV, US
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 7+ years
- Category
- Software engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical)
- At least 7 years of manufacturing engineering experience
- Strong knowledge of process engineering, automation systems, controls architecture, and manufacturing technologies
- Demonstrated success improving throughput, yield, quality, process stability, and operational performance
- Experience supporting commissioning, startup, optimization, and troubleshooting of manufacturing processes and automation systems
- Working knowledge of GMP, Food Safety, FDA, PMO, and other applicable regulatory requirements
- Strong analytical, project management, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Proficiency with engineering software, manufacturing systems, Microsoft Office, and technical documentation standards
Nice to have
- MBA
- Leadership of technical teams
- Aseptic, UHT, and beverage manufacturing experience
Full description
Role Impact:
The Process & Automation Engineering Manager provides day-to-day leadership for Process Engineers and Controls Engineers while supporting the design, optimization, and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes and automation systems. This role is responsible for executing the Process & Automation Engineering strategy, developing engineering talent, and delivering technical solutions that improve throughput, yield, process stability, and equipment capability.
The position is a part of the Technical Operations team and partners closely with Production and Maintenance to support operational performance, troubleshoot technical challenges, and implement sustainable improvements across the manufacturing facility.
Role Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Process & Automation Engineering team, including coaching, development, succession planning, recruiting, onboarding, and performance management.
- Prioritize engineering resources and daily activities to support manufacturing operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and project execution.
- Own blending, aseptic processing and filling, and downline performance, ensuring processes operate safely, consistently, and within established operating parameters.
- Drive improvements in throughput, yield, process stability, product quality, equipment utilization, and overall manufacturing performance through engineering excellence and structured problem solving.
- Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous improvement of controls and automation systems, including automation standards, programming standards, and manufacturing technology solutions.
- Develop and maintain technical standards, engineering best practices, process documentation, specifications, and operating procedures supporting manufacturing operations.
- Partner with Operations and Maintenance & Reliability to eliminate chronic process and equipment losses while maintaining ownership of process capability and automation systems.
- Analyze manufacturing performance data and provide technical recommendations that improve safety, quality, efficiency, reliability, and operational performance.
- Support the commissioning, startup, validation, optimization, and lifecycle management of new process and automation systems.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging technologies, automation solutions, and engineering improvements that enhance manufacturing capability and business performance.
- Collaborate with Technical Operations, Maintenance, Production and external vendors to coordinate priorities, resources, and execution plans that support business objectives.
- Ensure compliance with engineering policies, technical standards, SQF, Food Safety requirements, and all applicable regulatory and company standards.
- Communicate project timelines, critical updates, and team priorities on a weekly basis.