Automation & Controls Engineering Manager in Santa Cruz, California at Ajulia Executive Search

• Location: Santa Cruz, California
• Type: Direct Hire
• Job #26335

Are you looking to lead factory automation strategy within a rapidly growing advanced manufacturing environment focused on power electronics and electrification technologies? This leadership opportunity as an Automation & Controls Engineering Manager focuses on building and scaling world-class manufacturing automation systems, developing controls architecture standards, leading automation engineering teams, and driving the integration of factory equipment with enterprise software systems. This role is ideal for a senior automation leader with extensive experience supporting industrial automation, robotics, controls engineering, MES integration, and large-scale manufacturing operations who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and is passionate about building intelligent, scalable factories.

Responsibilities:

• Hire, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of Automation and Controls Engineers
• Develop and execute the companys automation and controls roadmap supporting future factory expansion and scalability
• Establish controls engineering standards including hardware platforms, software architecture, communication protocols, and automation frameworks
• Develop standardized controls code libraries and engineering practices to improve deployment speed, maintainability, and reliability
• Oversee controls engineering deliverables for capital equipment projects from concept through commissioning and production ramp-up
• Manage relationships with machine builders, system integrators, controls vendors, and external engineering partners
• Review and approve electrical schematics, controls architectures, and automation designs prior to fabrication and implementation
• Lead debugging, commissioning, startup, and factory acceptance activities for complex automated manufacturing systems
• Own factory functional safety strategy and ensure compliance with applicable machine safety standards
• Collaborate with software, manufacturing, and operations teams to integrate machine data into MES, SCADA, ERP, and enterprise systems
• Drive robotics, machine vision, motion control, and advanced automation initiatives throughout manufacturing operations
• Provide high-level troubleshooting and technical leadership for critical controls and automation challenges across production environments
• Build a culture focused on technical excellence, safety, innovation, and continuous improvement

Required Experience:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or related field required
• 10+ years of industrial automation and controls engineering experience required
• 3+ years of technical leadership or management experience required
• Proven experience architecting and deploying full-factory automation solutions required
• Expert-level PLC programming experience including Structured Text, Ladder Logic, and Function Block Diagram programming required
• Strong experience with motion control systems, HMI development, and MES integration required
• Deep proficiency with multiple PLC and controls platforms including Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, and Ignition required
• Experience reviewing and validating electrical schematics to NFPA 79 and UL 508A standards required
• Strong background integrating robotics, machine vision, and automated inspection systems required
• Experience connecting industrial control systems to MES, SCADA, ERP, and plant software environments required
• Demonstrated experience managing system integrators, machine builders, controls vendors, and external engineering resources required
• Excellent leadership, mentoring, communication, and project management skills required
• Ability to work onsite within a manufacturing environment and support commissioning activities as needed

Preferred Experience:

• Experience within power electronics, battery manufacturing, electric vehicle manufacturing, energy storage, or related advanced manufacturing industries preferred
• Experience building a controls engineering department or significantly expanding an automation team preferred
• Experience with Digital Twin technology, simulation tools, or virtual commissioning preferred
• Proficiency with EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical preferred
• Experience supporting greenfield manufacturing facilities, factory expansions, or large-scale automation deployments preferred

Benefits:

• Competitive health insurance plans
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Equity participation opportunity
• Paid Time Off
• 401(K) program
• Professional growth opportunities within a rapidly scaling technology company
• Opportunity to help build next-generation manufacturing systems and factory automation infrastructure

Salary: $170K-$220K annually plus equity opportunity

Ask for: Brenna

Job Id: 26335

Ajulia Executive Search is a New Jersey based Executive Search Firm specializing in retained searches in multiple sectors, including Manufacturing, Finance, IT, Legal, and Pharmaceutical. We have a nationwide client base and offer services in temporary and direct hire placements.

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