Automation Manager Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

The Director of Automation is a key leadership role responsible for driving the strategic adoption, implementation, and continuous improvement of automation technologies within Transcat's calibration operations. This role will serve as a critical liaison between Operations and IT, ensuring alignment of technical requirements with operational needs while leading change management efforts to drive adoption and maximize the value of automation investments.

This position will also oversee research and development of emerging automation solutions to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability. The Director of Automation will travel to support hands-on implementation, provide leadership during rollout, and foster a culture of innovation and process improvement across all calibration labs.

• Automation Strategy & Implementation:
  • Lead the development and execution of the enterprise automation strategy for calibration operations.
  • Identify, evaluate, and prioritize automation opportunities to enhance productivity, turnaround time, and operational consistency.
  • Act as the primary liaison between Operations, IT, and key business stakeholders to ensure automation solutions meet technical and business requirements.
• Change Management & Adoption:
  • Drive change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of automation tools, systems, and processes.
  • Develop and deliver training, communication plans, and hands-on support to promote adoption across all levels of the organization.
  • Address resistance to change and actively engage site leadership in building support for new technologies.
• Research & Development:
  • Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices related to automation in the calibration and metrology fields.
  • Lead R&D efforts to pilot and scale new automation solutions, including data automation, workflow optimization, and physical automation systems.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Partner with IT to define technical requirements, system integration needs, and data security considerations for automation projects.
  • Collaborate with Operations, Quality, Sales, and Business Transformation teams to ensure alignment with business objectives and customer expectations.
• Implementation & Rollout Support:
  • Travel to lab locations to lead or support the deployment of automation tools, ensuring smooth rollouts and hands-on problem resolution.
  • Measure and report on the performance and impact of automation initiatives, providing regular updates to leadership.
• Model the Company's values to influence others to perform in an aligned manner.
• Ensure training and development plans are in place and communicated to employees to drive performance improvement and career progression.
• Complete and deliver accurate, thorough, and prescriptive employee performance reviews on the required timeline.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strategic thinking and execution
• Change management and communication
• Cross-functional leadership
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Information Technology, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of experience in operational leadership, process improvement, or technology deployment, preferably in calibration, manufacturing, or industrial services.
• Prior experience in the calibration industry is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading change management and driving technology adoption.
• Strong technical acumen and the ability to translate operational needs into technical requirements.
• Experience managing cross-functional projects and working with IT teams.
• Willingness to travel (up to 30%-40%) to support implementation and adoption across multiple locations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination

Transcat is an equal-opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on any protected status. As required by United States law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic predisposition or carrier status, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), status as a protected veteran, or as a member of any other protected group or activity under federal, state, and local law.

We will make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position unless doing so poses an undue hardship to the company or a direct threat to health or safety.

Contingencies

All offers of employment are contingent upon successfully completing all pre-employment requirements, which include verification of identity and employment eligibility, and when applicable, a motor vehicle driving record report.