Automation Manager Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

We’re seeking driven, curious people who bring energy to what they do and see challenges as opportunities to learn and improve. Our team of co-owners values enthusiasm, creativity, and a growth mindset, and we’re committed to putting those qualities to work on solutions that matter. If you’re ready to grow and make an impact, we’d love to be on your team.

The Business Development Engineer will expand AWC’s Marine Automation success by developing trusted relationships within the marine, offshore, shipbuilding, and port industries. This role serves as a subject matter expert (SME) in marine electrical and automation applications, helping customers solve operational, reliability, and safety challenges through the application of AWC’s automation, power distribution, and electrical solutions.

You will operate at the intersection of sales, engineering, and customer operations, identifying opportunities, influencing technical solutions, and positioning AWC as the preferred partner for marine automation and electrical systems across commercial marine and offshore markets.

How you’ll make an impact:

Account Development & Market Expansion

• Identify, target, and develop new accounts across key marine and offshore industries including shipyards, ports, marine transportation, offshore operators, and EPC firms
• Build relationships with engineering, maintenance, reliability, operations, and project stakeholders
• Develop and execute account strategies to expand AWC’s market share and drive long-term growth
• Identify opportunities for modernization, automation upgrades, electrical system improvements, and operational reliability enhancements across existing and new customers

Subject Matter Expertise – Marine Automation Solutions

• Communicate how to implement marine-grade power, controls, drive, and electrical solutions with marine accounts throughout the market
• Serve as the technical expert on marine electrical and automation solutions including power distribution, motor controls, vessel automation, instrumentation, SCADA systems, and industrial networking
• Advise customers on electrical system architecture, automation integration, and operational reliability improvements
• Support application design discussions, ensuring solutions meet operational, safety, regulatory, and harsh-environment requirements

Solution Development & Technical Sales

• Work with inside sales, outside sales, and applications engineering teams to implement world-class marine automation and electrical technologies that improve reliability, safety, and operational uptime
• Partner with Applications Engineering to develop complete automation solutions including PLCs, I/O, HMI, SCADA, Drives, MCCs, Power Distribution, and marine-rated enclosures
• Influence specifications and position AWC solutions early in project development cycles
• Assist in developing proposals, Bills-of-Material, technical submittals, and customer presentations while ensuring compatibility with marine standards and certifications

Customer Engagement & Support

• Act as a trusted advisor to customers by providing technical insight, troubleshooting support, and application guidance
• Troubleshoot marine and maritime industrial systems to identify the right equipment and solutions to restore customer operations quickly (propulsion auxiliaries, ballast systems, cargo handling, dockside automation, onboard utilities)
• Participate in shipyard visits, vessel walkdowns, port/terminal site visits, customer meetings, and project discussions to understand operational needs and constraints
• Demonstrate hardware and software solutions onboard vessels, dockside, and in offshore environments while adapting solutions to real-world marine conditions

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with sales, applications engineering, supply chain, operations, and vendor partners to ensure alignment from opportunity through execution
• Document and share best practices for marine power and automation deployments, including lessons learned from retrofits and new-build projects
• Contribute to internal knowledge sharing and best practices around marine automation, electrical applications, and market trends
• Operate as a motivated self-starter with the ability to manage a dynamic schedule that may include shipyard visits, vessel walkdowns and port/terminal site work

Skills you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Distribution, Electrical Technology; equivalent industry experience considered
• 5+ years of experience in marine industrial automation, technical sales, business development
• Strong knowledge of marine automation systems, instrumentation, motor controls, and industrial networking
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a variety of audiences
• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on practical, customer-driven solutions
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and priorities
• Ability to travel regularly to customer sites, shipyards, ports, and offshore facilities

Here’s what will set you apart:

• Experience working within marine, shipbuilding, or port operations environments
• Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, MCCs, switchgear, generators, SCADA systems, and vessel automation platforms
• Understanding of marine industry standards, classifications, and regulatory requirements
• Experience working with EPCs, vessel operators, shipyards, or industrial marine facilities
• Track record of influencing specifications and winning competitive opportunities
• Experience packaging complete marine automation and electrical solutions
• Advanced level knowledge of Electrical and Automation products, including but not limited to PLCs, I/O, Safety Devices, Enclosures, Motor Starters, Variable Frequency Drives, Pneumatics, Sensors, Panelboards, Motor Control Centers, and Switchgear with preference for marine and harsh-environment applications

The Rewards:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(K) Match
• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Package
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Career Development Opportunities

About AWC

As employee co-owners, we’re driven to do more than complete tasks; we build fulfilling careers by challenging assumptions and continually raising the bar. We embrace creative, innovative approaches to deepen our expertise and deliver real value to our customers.

We partner strategically with many of the world’s most recognized technology brands to help engineering, reliability, and maintenance teams solve complex problems. As experts in our partners’ technologies, we’re equipped to properly size, select, configure, and support the right solutions. Our goal is simple: combine caring, knowledgeable people with innovative technologies to help our customers succeed.

How We Win Together

We are committed to solving customer problems and welcome team members that want to be the trusted resource to those looking for a partner who out-knows, out-cares, and out-serves everyone else. Every day, we strive to deliver on our mission to empower people to make the greatest positive impact for the communities and families we serve together. Our Winning Together culture starts with a shared commitment to building an environment of inclusiveness, trust, and mutual respect. We know that when people like you are safe to pursue your passions, to learn, to serve, and to share in the rewards from our combined efforts, then we are winning together.