Demo

Senior Automation Program Manager

Confidential Employer
Ann Arbor, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 10/30/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/28/2026

Senior Automation Program Manager will be responsible for leading automation projects from concept to implementation across manufacturing sites. The project’s life cycle includes, but is not limited to identifying automation opportunities, justifying, developing concepts, writing the scope of work, selecting the preferred vendor/integrator, business case development/presentation, design validation, ensuring the design& build follows companies standards, and launching the solution at the plant. The Senior Program Manager will be executing multiple projects at one time, potentially in different facilities across North America that vary from welding chassis frames, laying fiberglass to machine tending to general assembly.


Essential Job Functions:

  • Lead and support manufacturing initiatives aimed at process improvements through the targeted implementation of automated processes that drive improvements in key corporate metrics for safety, quality, cost and throughput.
  • Leads Concept-to-Commissioning process for automation systems, working with our internal manufacturing customers and the external system integrators.
  • Help define better business processes that support the transformation and automation of companies manufacturing footprint.
  • Drives cross-functional engagement and stakeholder alignment to advance key projects, strategies, and initiatives, including the formulation, justification, and presentation of capital investment (CapEx) proposals and business cases that support organizational objectives.
  • Confers with planning and design staff concerning product design and tooling to ensure efficient Lean production methods.
  • Confers with management, engineering, and other staff regarding manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, throughput ramp up plans, and other considerations to facilitate production processes.
  • Leads cross-functional collaboration with subject matter experts to evaluate manufacturing requirements, develop innovative process solutions, assess project cost implications, and establish best-in-class manufacturing practices.
  • Collaborate on the development and implementation of standardized work instructions, PFMEAs, and other control plans to ensure quality and consistency.
  • Develop equipment specifications (RFQ) to meet manufacturing requirements, and negotiate for purchase of equipment, materials, or parts. Evaluate equipment according to specifications and quality standards through design reviews, and gated acceptance testing.
  • Works with Business Units on production times, staffing requirements, and related costs to provide information for stakeholder decisions.
  • Adheres to Quality policy by exceeding customer expectations, being customer focused and supporting continuous improvement activities.
  • Adheres to company and industry safety policies and standards 100% of the time, including but not limited to, RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, and NFPA.
  • Execute internal concept development workshops with the manufacturing sites to define base project scope. Output to include, base process, automation selection, man-machine charts, cardboard mockups, cost estimates
  • Utilize project management skills to maintain an appropriate level of project control with respect to project budget, project timeline, resource allocation, document control, and issuance of purchase orders.


Qualifications:

  • BSME, BSIE, BSEE or equivalent.
  • Ten years or more of directly related experience in a manufacturing engineering or advanced manufacturing role, preferably in a multi-site or complex manufacturing environment. A minimum of five years must be in program/project leadership.
  • Preferred: Certifications in PE, Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or relevant engineering credentials.
  • Has experience successfully leading projects transforming a traditional low volume/high mix manual manufacturing environment over to Automation.
  • Position requires heavy travel requirements at times.


Please Note: Not able to sponsor Visa's at this time.

Salary : $160,000 - $165,000

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Senior Automation Program Manager?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Senior Automation Program Manager career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$188,900 - $249,994
Income Estimation: 
$208,393 - $280,632
Income Estimation: 
$217,249 - $295,152
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Confidential Employer

  • Confidential Employer Miami, FL
  • Job Title: Delivery Driver – Houston, TX About the Company: Food distribution company with delivery operations in the Houston area is seeking a driver for ... more
  • 15 Days Ago


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Senior Automation Program Manager jobs in the Ann Arbor, MI area that may be a better fit.

  • Exotic Automation & Supply New Hudson, MI
  • General Summary: Company Representative responsible for identifying, developing and maintaining sales opportunities and business relationships for an assig... more
  • 21 Days Ago

  • Premier Automation Contractors Brighton, MI
  • Company Description Premier Automation Contractors is a full-service contracting provider serving clients across North America, with a focus on reliable, h... more
  • 15 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!