Automation Engineering Manager in Butler, Wisconsin at MRPC

Automation Engineering Manager: Medical Device Manufacturing

Reports to: COO · Focus: Automation strategy, robotics & multi-site automation projects · Type: Full-time, salaried (exempt) · Location: Milwaukee, WI, with 25–30% travel to MRPC sites

Join MRPC: Build What's Next in Medical Technology

Set the vision. Lead the team. Shape the future of healthcare.

At MRPC, automation isn't just about faster machines. Every cell we build helps make components for technologies that improve and save lives around the world, maybe even someone you know.

With more than 100 years of manufacturing expertise, MRPC and its sister companies, Injectech and Plastic Design Corporation, are a growing leader in medical device manufacturing, supporting advanced technologies like robotic-assisted surgery and next-generation healthcare solutions.

We're investing in our people, technology and facilities, and we're growing. That means a rare chance for an automation leader to set the roadmap, build the team and see their ideas running on the floor across multiple sites.

The Role: Lead the Automation That Builds Life-Changing Products

Behind every component we make is automation that has to run right, every shift, at every site. As our Automation Engineering Manager, you'll own where it goes next. You'll set the vision and multi-year roadmap for automation, lead design-and-build projects from concept through validation, and grow a high-performing automation engineering team. Reporting to our COO, you'll partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Quality, Maintenance and NPI teams to launch new medical-device products, keep existing equipment running at its best and hit our safety, quality, delivery and cost goals.

What You'll Do

• Set the roadmap. Build the automation vision and multi-year plan with NPI and site operations teams to drive growth and SQDC results.

• Make the business case. Develop use cases and capital requests for automation, tooling, fixtures and packaging.

• Build what's next. Lead design-and-build projects from concept through installation and validation, and decide when to build in-house or partner with integrators.

• Pick the right partners. Evaluate and select automation vendors and integrators on capability, cost, installation and service.

• Launch products right. Be the automation lead on NPI teams, and partner with Quality on IQ/OQ/PQ, PFMEAs and control plans to ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820.

• Keep it running. Own uptime for robots, vision systems, laser systems and PLC controls, and be the go-to escalation point for root cause and corrective action.

• Set the standard. Establish robot and PLC programming standards, controls documentation, version control and change management, and share best practices across MRPC sites.

• Cut the waste. Lead Lean and CI projects (Kanban, Quick Changeover, Value Stream Mapping, Kaizen, 5S) and design cells that make the most of people, space and equipment.

• Grow the team. Coach and develop automation engineers, build skills through training and succession planning, and report results to senior leadership and customers.

What You Bring

• 7+ years of automation or controls engineering experience, including 2+ years leading engineers or project teams, plus a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics or Manufacturing Engineering (or equivalent experience)

• Deep controls and robotics expertise: PLC-driven controls and ladder logic, plus hands-on programming and troubleshooting of collaborative and industrial robots (articulated, SCARA, delta and Cartesian), vision systems and feed systems

• A proven track record leading automation design-and-build projects from concept through installation, including managing integrators, budgets and capital justifications

• Ability to read electrical, mechanical and technical drawings, and proficiency in AutoCAD/CAD, Microsoft Office, MS Project and ERP systems

• A clear communicator who presents confidently to senior leaders and customers, and an innovative, hands-on leader who manages multiple projects and changes direction fast when an idea isn't working

• Willingness to travel 25–30%

• Bonus points for: automation in molding, assembly, testing and packaging; regulated medical-device experience (ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR Part 820) including equipment and process validation; Lean or Six Sigma certification

Ready to Lead What's Next?

Apply today and lead the automation behind life-changing medical technology.

MRPC, Injectech and Plastic Design Corporation are Equal Opportunity Employers.

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