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Senior Manager Automation Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vantedge

Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering

Wallingford, CT · On-site

$104K - $136K/yr

Job Type Full-time Description Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering Full Time Permanent Salary Onsite *We are not currently working with third party agencies on this role. About Us: Vantedge Medical ...

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How much do senior manager automation engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior manager automation engineering in the United States is $121,854.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,000.00 and $136,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior manager automation engineering?

Senior Manager Automation Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for leading teams that design, implement, and optimize automated systems and processes within an organization. They oversee projects related to automation in manufacturing, IT, or business operations, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. In addition to technical expertise, they manage budgets, mentor engineers, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and align automation strategies with company goals. Their role is crucial in driving innovation and maintaining a competitive edge through advanced automation solutions.

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

To thrive as a Senior Manager Automation Engineering, you need deep expertise in automation engineering principles, process optimization, and leadership, typically supported by a degree in engineering and significant experience in automation projects. Familiarity with industrial control systems, PLC/SCADA programming, and certifications such as PMP or Six Sigma are commonly required. Strong project management, team leadership, and strategic communication skills help drive cross-functional teams and align technical solutions with business goals. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring efficient automation processes, successful project delivery, and sustainable organizational growth.

How does a senior manager automation engineering typically balance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities?

As a Senior Manager Automation Engineering, you will often need to strike a balance between overseeing automation projects at a high level and providing technical guidance to your team. While much of your time is spent on strategic planning, resource allocation, and cross-functional collaboration, there are occasions where in-depth technical expertise is required to troubleshoot complex issues or review critical designs. Effective delegation, mentoring, and regular communication with both engineers and stakeholders are key to ensuring projects progress smoothly while maintaining technical standards.

How much does a senior manager automation engineer make in the US?

A senior manager automation engineer in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $160,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Compensation may also include bonuses, stock options, and benefits, with higher salaries often found in technology and manufacturing sectors that rely heavily on automation tools and systems.
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Senior Manager Automation Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Manager Automation Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,854 per year, or $58.6 per hour.

Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering

Wallingford, CT • On-site

Vantedge
See more jobs at Vantedgeexternal

$104K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering
Full Time Permanent Salary Onsite
*We are not currently working with third party agencies on this role.
About Us: Vantedge Medical is the premier metals-based med-tech solutions partner from concept to full-scale manufacturing. We are at the forefront of precision engineering and innovation, specializing in the development and manufacturing of vital components for medical markets such as Robotic Assisted Surgery, Orthopedics, Surgical Instruments, Dental, and more. Our teams work in unison, collaborating and problem-solving to serve the manufacturing needs of the top Medical Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) around the globe. Making a difference in the lives of patients and their families drives us to go above and beyond every day. Through our Vander-Bend division we also play an integral role supporting top hyperscalers in the AI data center space. With a steadfast commitment to advancing technology, we take immense pride in the work we do - and have a lot of fun doing it.
Job Summary: The Sr. Manager, Automation Engineering combines deep hands-on automation system design expertise with the leadership of an in-house team of approximately nine engineers and technicians. Beyond leading the team, this role owns the automation function's capital planning and cross-functional coordination - serving as the primary interface to Finance, Operations, Commercial, and site leadership for automation investment and prioritization. The Sr. Manager assesses current-state manufacturing processes across Vantedge's production facilities and develops automation solutions to strengthen new business and improve existing processes. This is an engaged leadership role: the successful candidate stays technically hands-on while being the lead interface between the automation team and the production sites and customers it supports. We are looking for a technically advanced, highly collaborative leader within a regulated medical device and AI data center manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Lead and develop a high-performing automation team
  • Manage a team of approximately nine automation engineers and technicians at the Wallingford in-house automation build center - setting priorities, balancing demand and workload, and establishing an operating cadence with forward pipeline visibility and delivery commitments.
  • Coach and develop the team's technical, business, and commercial acumen - building their understanding of customer requirements, cost drivers, and the production realities behind their solutions; recruit and retain talent.
  • Build strong, collaborative relationships with site engineering, Site Directors of Operations, and production teams, keeping the team engaged with the operations it supports, and its solutions grounded in real-world production conditions.
  • Establish and support automation design practices, safety standards, and documentation across facilities, building on the team's proven process.
  • Provide hands-on technical leadership across automation and controls
  • Serve as the senior technical authority for robotics, PLC / controls, machine vision, fixturing, and material handling - remaining hands-on in the design, integration, debug, and validation of automated cells, and ensuring designs meet applicable machine-safety and electrical standards.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies and guide build-versus-buy decisions; support qualification and validation of automated processes in accordance with medical device and industry quality requirements.
  • Assess current state processes and develop automation solutions
  • Assess current-state manufacturing processes across all sites to identify safety, productivity, and quality-improvement opportunities.
  • Rapidly develop budgetary automation concepts, cost estimates, and ROI / payback analyses, partnering with Estimating, Operations, and Commercial during quoting to embed automation strategies that improve cost competitiveness.
  • Build and prioritize a pipeline of automation initiatives, anticipating future demand and balancing quoting needs with current-process improvement.
  • Own capital planning and vendor engagement for automation
  • Own the capital planning process for automation - creating and justifying Capital Expenditure Requests and business cases.
  • Serve as the interface to Finance, Operations, Commercial, and site leadership on automation investment and prioritization, setting realistic scope, cost, and timeline expectations.
  • Lead vendor and integrator discovery, engagement, and selection, owning key vendor relationships on behalf of the automation function.

Requirements
  • Engineering or bachelor's degree in a technical field (Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, or related)
  • Minimum 10 years hands-on experience in automation and controls engineering (design, build, and implementation of robotics, PLC programming, machine vision, fixturing, material handling, etc.), including progressive team- or project-leadership responsibility
  • Demonstrated people-leadership experience and a collaborative style, with the ability to build strong relationships across engineering, operations, and site teams
  • Experience owning automation capital planning - budgetary estimates, ROI / payback, CERs, capital justification - and managing vendor / integrator-supplied projects
  • Working knowledge of applicable machine-safety and electrical standards medical device or other regulated-industry manufacturing experience
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment; proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience in a multi-site manufacturing environment, ideally metals-based (CNC machining, stamping, welding, EDM, and assembly)
  • Business or financial acumen (e.g., MBA) and experience presenting capital proposals to executive leadership

Working Conditions:
On-site at Wallingford, CT with ~25% travel to production sites, customer meetings, and industry events; manufacturing environments require appropriate PPE

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