Manufacturing Automation Manager

Job Description

Please no 3rd parties or C2C.
Must be a US Permanent Resident or Citizen.
We are unable to sponsor currently.

Job Title: Manufacturing Automation Manager (On-Site)

Location: On-site, Syracuse, NY

Job Type: Full-time, direct hire

Salary Range: $80,000 – $120,000 annually, depending on experience

About the Role

A high-volume manufacturing organization is seeking an Automation Manager to support a planned, succession-focused leadership transition within its automation and controls function.

The Automation Manager will assume day-to-day leadership responsibility for the local automation team while partnering closely with senior automation leaders. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of the automation group within a fast-paced, technically advanced manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong industrial automation and controls expertise, capable of leading teams through complex, high-pressure production scenarios while maintaining a strong people-first leadership approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and support automation technicians.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for automation and controls-related production issues.

• Maintain operational continuity.

• Support troubleshooting efforts in high-speed, continuous-motion manufacturing environments.

• Reinforce preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for automated equipment.

• Partner with HR on performance management, employee relations, and workforce planning.

• Advocate for automation team resources, staffing, and technical needs.

• Oversee training, development, and technical skill progression of the automation team.

• Support capital equipment installations alongside ongoing support of legacy automation platforms.

• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelors preferred – No formal education requirement.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of supervisory or management experience in a manufacturing environment.

• Proven experience leading technical teams in high-output  production settings.

• Demonstrated success managing direct reports and multi-level team structures.

Technical Skills

• Strong working knowledge of industrial automation and controls systems.

• Hands-on understanding of Allen-Bradley PLC platforms.

• Functional-level troubleshooting capability for automation systems.

• Experience supporting both new capital equipment and legacy automation platforms.

• Familiarity with preventive maintenance strategies in automated manufacturing.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership, communication, and mentorship skills.

• Ability to manage conflict, de-escalate issues, and support team morale.

• Comfortable making decisions and providing direction in high-pressure situations.

• Organized, adaptable, and able to balance technical oversight with people leadership.

Note: This role does not require full-time PLC programming; however, technical credibility and hands-on capability are essential.

Why Join Us?

• Planned succession hire with built-in mentorship and knowledge transfer

• High-impact role within a fast-paced, technically advanced manufacturing operation

• Strong emphasis on team development, stability, and long-term career growth

• Competitive compensation and benefits package

ISSI Technology Professionals celebrates diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.