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Automation Engineering Manager Jobs in Portage, MI

PRAB, Inc.

CONTROLS ENGINEERING MANAGER

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$78K - $101K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation ... Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills * Proven ability to coach ...

PRAB, Inc.

CONTROLS ENGINEERING MANAGER

Kalamazoo, MI

$78K - $101K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation ... Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills * Proven ability to coach ...

Frey Consulting Group

Automation Engineer

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Root cause analysis and reliability engineering * Project management experience leading automation or capital improvement projects Desired Competencies * Excellent analytical and problem‑solving ...

New

Denso

Control Engineer 2

Battle Creek, MI · On-site

$79K - $99K/yr

Collaborates with Automation Engineering and Maintenance to verify that the design of all ... Project management skills, including identifying and scheduling process steps, determining ...

Denso

Control Engineer 2

Battle Creek, MI · On-site

$79K - $99K/yr

Collaborates with Automation Engineering and Maintenance to verify that the design of all ... Project management skills, including identifying and scheduling process steps, determining ...

ALLNEX

Engineering & Maintenance Manager

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

$95 - $140/hr

Leads Automation efforts and responsible for maintaining, upgrading, and fully utilizing control systems as well as providing off‑hours support if needed. * Conducts Process Safety Management ...

Abaxis

Laboratory Automation Lead

Portage, MI · On-site

Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows ... MS Degree in a science or engineering field. * Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues ...

Zoetis, Inc.

Laboratory Automation Lead

Kalamazoo, MI · On-site

Lead laboratory automation initiatives by partnering with scientific teams to understand workflows ... MS Degree in a science or engineering field. * Experience managing a team of 3+ colleagues ...

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Automation Engineering Manager information

See Portage, MI salary details

$84.5K

$129.6K

$162.9K

How much do automation engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for automation engineering manager in Portage, MI is $129,620.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,300.00 and $150,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an automation engineering manager do?

An Automation Engineering Manager oversees the design, implementation, and optimization of automated systems in manufacturing or software development. They lead a team of engineers to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance productivity through automation technologies. Responsibilities include project management, system integration, troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. They collaborate with other departments to align automation strategies with company goals. Strong technical expertise, leadership skills, and problem-solving abilities are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an automation engineering manager?

An Automation Engineering Manager should have a strong background in automation technologies, process improvement, project management, and a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with PLC/SCADA systems, robotics, industrial control systems, and certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma is often required. Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help drive team performance and foster cross-functional collaboration. These capabilities are essential for delivering efficient automation solutions, ensuring project success, and guiding multidisciplinary teams in fast-paced environments.

What are some typical challenges faced by automation engineering managers in their day-to-day work?

Automation Engineering Managers often balance multiple projects and deadlines while ensuring high quality and compliance with industry standards. A common challenge is integrating new automation technologies with existing systems, which requires careful planning and troubleshooting. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—including operations, IT, and maintenance—is crucial for aligning technical solutions with business goals. Additionally, staying current with emerging automation trends and training team members on new tools is a key part of the role, helping drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.

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Automation Engineering Manager jobs near you

CONTROLS ENGINEERING MANAGER

PRAB, Inc.

Kalamazoo, MI • On-site

$78K - $101K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

The Controls Engineering Manager leads Hapman's Controls Engineering team in designing and supporting electrical control systems for standard products and engineered material handling solutions. This role provides technical and people leadership across electrical design, controls architecture, PLC/HMI programming, product development, project execution, estimating, and engineering standards. The position partners closely with Sales, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer Service, and Purchasing to deliver innovative, reliable automation solutions and an exceptional customer experience. This leader also drives engineering efficiency by implementing modern engineering tools, automation, and AI where they improve productivity and quality.
Reports To: Director of Engineering
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years of industrial controls engineering experience, preferably with custom equipment or process automation
  • Previous engineering leadership experience or demonstrated ability to lead technical teams
  • Strong knowledge of PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, controls architecture, and electrical system design
  • Experience with electrical panels, component selection, documentation, and applicable electrical codes
  • Experience supporting quotations, estimating, and customer-facing technical discussions
  • Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills
  • Proven ability to coach, mentor, and develop engineers
  • Proficient using AI tools to improve research, engineering productivity, and technical problem solving
  • Experience developing AI-enabled engineering tools or applications is a plus

General Responsibilities
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Controls Engineering team.
  • Oversee electrical design, PLC programming, HMI development, testing, and implementation.
  • Establish engineering standards for controls architecture, programming, documentation, reusable software, and component selection.
  • Drive standardization to improve quality, manufacturability, serviceability, and profitability.
  • Manage department priorities, schedules, resources, and project execution.
  • Provide technical leadership on complex customer applications, product development, and troubleshooting.
  • Support Sales through estimating, proposal development, scope definition, and technical presentations.
  • Collaborate with Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Purchasing, and Sales to improve products and processes.
  • Recruit, develop, and retain engineering talent while building future department capabilities.
  • Champion engineering productivity through automation, AI, and modern engineering tools, including internal AI applications.
  • Build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and technology partners.
  • Travel as needed to support customer meetings, FATs, commissioning, and strategic projects.

  • Leadership Expectations
  • The Controls Engineering Manager will:
  • Build a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Balance innovation with practical, standardized engineering solutions.
  • Improve engineering efficiency through better processes, automation, AI, and reusable designs.
  • Develop future engineering leaders through coaching and delegation.
  • Stay current on automation technologies, AI capabilities, and industry trends.

  • What Excellence Looks Like in the Role
  • Build a strong, engaged engineering team.
  • Delivers reliable controls solutions on time and with high quality.
  • Continuously improves engineering standards and productivity.
  • Helps Sales win business through technical expertise.
  • Drives innovation while maintaining practical, serviceable designs.
  • Leverages AI and modern engineering tools to improve engineering effectiveness.

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