Automation Program Manager Jobs in Ontario (NOW HIRING)

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Rate: $124,000 to $170,500
• Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
• Stock Purchase Plan 
• 3 Weeks Vacation 
• Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account 
• Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ’s and lunches, weekly snack day, etc.) 
• Employee Development Programs 

Role Overview

Lead and elevate the Controls Engineering function by driving technical excellence, high-performance team culture, and successful project delivery across complex automation programs. This role combines hands-on engineering leadership with strategic oversight—ensuring projects are executed on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.
You will oversee resource planning, guide and mentor a multidisciplinary controls team, and champion continuous improvement through Kaizen, Lean, and data-driven decision-making. Acting as a key technical authority, you will support projects from concept through installation—resolving challenges, optimizing performance, and ensuring compliance with industry and quality standards.
In partnership with Engineering, Sales, and Applications teams, you will contribute to business growth by supporting proposals, enhancing customer satisfaction, and strengthening ATS’s reputation as a trusted automation partner. You will also play a critical role in developing team capability, advancing technology adoption, and aligning departmental objectives with overall business goals.

Specific Responsibilities

Project Team Leadership & Delivery

Lead and manage the Controls Engineering team, aligning resources to project priorities to ensure delivery on schedule, within budget, and to quality standards.
Own workforce planning, including workload forecasting, resource allocation, and capacity planning in partnership with Engineering Group Leads.
Provide technical leadership across the project lifecycle (design through integration and installation), proactively resolving risks and complex engineering challenges.
Review, validate, and approve engineering designs and deliverables, ensuring compliance with project requirements, standards, and best practices.
Partner cross-functionally with Mechanical, Applications, Manufacturing, and other teams to drive integrated project execution.

People Leadership & Capability Development

Lead performance management, including goal setting, coaching, performance reviews, and compensation recommendations.
Mentor and develop team members through regular 1:1s, structured development plans, and skills gap analysis.
Build and sustain a high-performing, engaged team culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Support hiring and onboarding of engineering talent, ensuring strong technical and cultural alignment.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

Champion ABM/Kaizen principles, coaching teams on A3 problem solving, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision making.
Establish, track, and continuously improve team KPIs (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, Productivity, Engagement).
Implement visual management systems (e.g., control boards) to drive transparency and performance.
Identify improvement opportunities, standardize best practices, and lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to enhance efficiency and quality.
Support and maintain compliance with ATS quality systems, including participation in NCR/CAR resolution.

Customer & Business Collaboration

Provide technical expertise to Sales and Applications during the quotation and proposal process.
Partner with customer stakeholders to anticipate risks, resolve issues, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
Contribute to business growth by sharing customer insights and supporting strategic initiatives.
Collaborate across ATS business units to leverage expertise and ensure consistent delivery excellence.

Financial & Resource Management

Support development and management of the departmental budget in partnership with the Director, Engineering.
Monitor project and team performance, proactively identifying and addressing variances to optimize cost and resource utilization.
Develop flexible resourcing strategies, including use of external partners, to manage peak demand.

Technology, Quality & Compliance

Drive adoption of new technologies, tools, and standard methodologies to improve engineering outcomes.
Ensure engineering processes and deliverables comply with applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and ATS procedures (e.g., CSA/NQA where applicable).
Promote ethical business practices and adherence to the ATS Code of Conduct.

Health, Safety & Governance

Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring full compliance with Occupational Health & Safety regulations and ATS safety programs.
Ensure team awareness of workplace hazards and safe work practices.
Support ongoing safety initiatives and collaboration with Joint Health & Safety Committees.

Leadership Support

Act as a delegate for the Director, Engineering as required, supporting departmental and business unit objectives.

Qualifications

Education:

• A post-secondary technology diploma or engineering degree or equivalent, specializing in electronics, electrical or controls technology.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in the design and implementation of complete control systems for industrial automation projects.  This includes hands-on experience in programming and trouble-shooting with current PLC hardware, and programming software.
  2+ years experience leading project teams

Health & Safety Requirements

All employees have the responsibility to work in a healthy and safe manner, report any health, safety or environmental concern to their manager or supervisor in a timely manner, and participate in the safety culture of the organization.
 
Employee responsibilities for Health, Safety and Environment include:
 
•    Work in conformance with divisional health, safety and environmental procedures and compliance to legislative requirements
•    Refrain from removing or altering safety devices or guarding unless hazardous energies are controlled through lockout-tagout methods
•    Report any unsafe conditions or unsafe acts, defect in any equipment or protective device, and any accidents/incidents to the supervisor
•    Ensure that the required protective equipment is used for assigned tasks
•    Attend all required health, safety and environmental training
•    Assist in investigating accidents/incidents where applicable
•    Refrain from engaging in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct