Operations Manager Automation Jobs in Chicago, IL

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Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Automation Engineering, the Automation Systems Engineering Manager provides strategic and technical leadership for manufacturing automation systems across the Flex medical device manufacturing operation. This role leads a multidisciplinary team of automation and controls engineers and technicians responsible for designing, implementing, supporting, and continuously improving automated manufacturing equipment and control systems.

The manager partners closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Operations, IT, Program Management teams to ensure automation systems deliver world-class safety, quality, reliability, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing performance.

This position is responsible for establishing automation standards, developing engineering talent, driving equipment reliability, supporting continuous improvement projects, new product introductions, and leading the site's long-term automation strategy. The position serves as a key member of the site engineering leadership team and partners with the Director of Automation Engineering to establish the technical direction and long-term automation roadmap.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Automation Engineering team through coaching, mentoring, resource planning, and performance management.
• Establish automation standards, governance, software lifecycle, cybersecurity, backups, and hardware standardization.
• Provide technical leadership for PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems, motion control, industrial networking, IIoT, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Own the technical strategy to improve OEE, MTBF, MTTR, asset reliability, maintainability, and reduction of unplanned downtime through automation and engineering excellence.
• Lead capital projects and NPI activities from concept through validation, commissioning, and production release.
• Ensure compliance with FDA, ISO 13485, GMP, change control, validation, and quality requirements.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, IT, EHS, Supply Chain, and Program Management.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and automation initiatives that improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or related discipline with deep Controls and Automation experience.
• 6+ years of industrial automation experience and 2+ years of engineering leadership.
• Strong PLC, HMI, robotics, vision, motion control, and industrial networking experience.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage MES, CMMS, SCADA, ERP, and manufacturing data to develop KPI's, executive dashboards, predictive analytics, and data-driven operational improvements.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing with regulated industries (e.g., pharmaceutical, food & beverage, chemicals, or other regulated manufacturing experience.)
• Excellent communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical device manufacturing experience.
• Rockwell and Siemens PLC / SCADA experience.
• MES integration, and experience with CMMS.
• Working knowledge of FDA QSR and ISO 13485.
• Lean Six Sigma and/or PMP certification.

Core Competencies

• Technical Leadership Team Development Manufacturing Automation Equipment Reliability Continuous Improvement Capital Projects Strategic Thinking Data-Driven Decision Making

JT05

AA01
MS14
CC11

What you'll receive for the great work you provide:

• Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Matching 401(k) Contributions
• Vacation and Paid Sick Time
• Tuition Reimbursement

Application Deadline:

Applications for this job position will be accepted for at least five days following the job posting start date below and continuing until the end date below or until the position is filled. This posting may close sooner due to application volume.

Job Posting Start Date 07-20-2026 Job Posting End Date

The base pay range for this position is provided below. The final base rate offered will be determined using job-related, non-discriminatory criteria, including but not limited to experience, qualifications, geographic location, education, external market data, and internal equity.

$146,700.00 USD - $201,700.00 USDAnnualJob CategoryProduction Engineering

Is Sponsorship Available?

NoFlex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email accessibility@flex.com and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).