Automation Engineering Manager Jobs in California

Automation Engineering Manager, Armtec Defense Technologies

Armtec Defense Technologies (Armtec) is an operating unit of the Transdigm Group (NYSE: TDG), an industry leader in aerospace and defense products and services. Armtec is comprised of three business units producing subcomponents for ordnance in Coachella, CA; decoy countermeasure flares in Camden AR; and radar countermeasure chaff in Lillington NC. At Armtec, we welcome skilled and enthusiastic people who share our determination and high standards to join us in our mission‑critical work supporting the US and allied war‑fighters who serve us all by defending democracy and protecting freedom. This position is staffed in Coachella, at Armtec’s world‑class, sole‑source production facility for felted fiber nitrocellulose combustible cartridge cases for medium and large caliber military ammunition; and pyrophoric payloads for training grenades.

Company Profile

Company: Armtec Defense Technologies is an operating unit of the TransDigm Group (NYSE: TDG).

Industry: Manufacturing Combustible Ordnance and Countermeasures

Job Overview

Title: Automation Engineering Manager

Job Family: Engineering Management

Reports to: Director of Engineering - Ordnance

Works with: Mid‑level operations managers, engineers, supervisors, planners and employees.

Location: Coachella, California

Type: Full‑Time

Job Summary

The Automation Engineering Manager leads and manages a team of engineers in the development, implementation, and optimization of automated systems and solutions within a manufacturing environment. This role oversees all aspects of automation projects, from initial concept and feasibility through design, validation, and successful deployment, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and compliance with industry standards and regulations. As part of our team, you will leverage your expertise in PLC and HMI programming, SCADA systems, and industrial networking. Experience working with automation integrators or in cross‑functional automation projects is highly valued.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain strong working relationships with production supervisors, quality teams, and production employees.
• Regularly communicate technical activity status to program teams, leadership, and engineering peers within customer organizations.
• Report project status, challenges, and progress to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Drive deep scientific understanding, technical rigor, and best engineering practices in product and system development.
• Research emerging technologies, evaluate new tools, and integrate modern engineering solutions to enhance operations and minimize project risk.
• Provide technical guidance, review designs, and oversee prototyping activities to test innovative ideas.
• Interface with internal and external customers on technical issues, ensuring products and services meet customer requirements and expectations.
• Track and manage workloads, allocate resources efficiently, and manage budgets to ensure cost‑effective use of tools, technology, and personnel.
• Ensure staff have the necessary equipment, processes, and safety protocols to perform their jobs effectively and hold direct reports accountable for following defined processes.
• Monitor key performance indicators such as team productivity, project milestones, and product performance to identify trends and drive improvements.
• Implement and refine engineering workflows, methodologies, and tools to enhance team efficiency and productivity.
• Conduct annual performance reviews, set objectives, and develop individual development plans for direct reports.
• Maintain and improve cleanliness of work areas.
• Provide technical leadership in the areas of automation and project engineering.
• Participate in customer interface activities to ensure products/services meet requirements and expectations.
• Track and manage engineering workloads, outsourcing work packages as needed to meet deadlines while optimizing resource use.
• Provide inputs for and review drawings to ensure tolerances, materials, and specifications meet requirements.
• Analyze data trends using statistical methods to guide process improvements and risk mitigation.
• Apply knowledge of engineering, chemistry, physics, and materials science to solve technical problems.
• Conduct scheduling and coordination of internal/external resources for project execution.
• Develop process documents (SOW, CERs, validation plans, MOC, SAT, FAT) to ensure successful project implementation.
• Ensure engineering projects meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations.
• Execute capital/contract projects to deliver on schedule, budget, and scope objectives.
• Monitor and report project status using tools like Microsoft Project, weekly reports, and Program Management Reviews.
• Oversee engineering projects from conception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Manage the requirements lifecycle (creation, documentation, verification, validation) to align deliverables with stakeholder goals.
• Use Management of Change (MOC) processes to review engineering changes for safety, quality, and production impacts before implementation.
• Maintain the highest ethical standards, even when challenged with complex situations and multiple sometimes competing priorities.
• Understand and live by Armtec’s ethics and business conduct policies.

Behavioral Competencies

Armtec seeks leaders who are organized, have a sense of urgency, are action oriented, and who have a relentless drive for results. In doing this, we expect our leaders to be professional, have a positive outlook, remain cool under pressure, and be highly approachable. This requires hard‑won skillsets in motivating, conflict management, assessing people, priority setting, building effective teams, and managerial courage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in automation, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, mechatronics, or a related technical field required.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorization from the U.S. Government.
• Due to special regulatory requirements for defense ammunition manufacturing, successful applicants will be required to pass a pre‑employment background check and undergo initial and periodic substance abuse testing (urinalysis).
• 5 years of experience is required. Experience at an automation integrator or similar system integration company highly preferred.
• ISA/SCIA or OEM certifications a plus.
• Must be dependable, responsible, and accurate and have the ability to deal with people effectively.
• Strong oral and written presentation skills, and computer skills.
• Good financial aptitude.

Work Hours & Travel

• 4X10 work week with occasional overtime on Fridays or weekends as necessary, to meet program objectives.
• Up to 20% mostly US travel is required, normally a few multi‑day trips per quarter.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

Salary Range

$110,000 - $153,000/Annual

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with generous company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA – Medical & Dependent Care)
• Life and Accident Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Parent Leave Pay
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Holidays (8 paid holiday including holiday shutdown weeks in July and December)
• 401(k) matching

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance is available.