Automation Manager

Position overview

Strategy, systems, and governance

• Define PLC/HMI/SCADA, safety-control, network, naming, code-library, backup, and version-control standards.
• Govern Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, and Beckhoff TwinCAT populations and their lifecycle roadmaps.
• Own OT cybersecurity governance, including segmentation, secure remote access, privilege, backup/recovery, and patch coordination.
• Set robotics and machine-vision standards for safety, uptime, recovery, program governance, inspection integrity, recipes, and traceability.
• Sponsor historian, IIoT, digital SPC, condition monitoring, and analytics use cases with Data, IT/OT, and MES teams.

Launch and operational excellence

• Own automation FAT/SAT, controls lists, production-release criteria, run-at-rate support, and safe-launch escalation.
• Establish controls response, escalation, KPI cadence, and permanent corrective-action governance.
• Lead functional-safety compliance to applicable ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 60204, and robot-safety requirements.

Organization and business ownership

• Recruit, organize, and develop engineers and technicians; define on-call and shift coverage and technical progression.
• Own Capex/Opex, service contracts, integrator performance, software licenses, training, and spare strategy.

Operational expectations and interfaces

• Protect safety through LOTO, guarding, interlocks, HV controls, and approved work instructions; stop work when safety, quality, or traceability is at risk.
• Protect product conformity, traceability, and calibrated-tool discipline; contain abnormalities and preserve objective evidence.
• Support stable flow, takt/cycle achievement, and structured escalation; reduce scrap, rework, downtime, energy, and consumable losses through data-based countermeasures.
• Build Saudi national capability through coaching, cross-training, OJT, progression, and knowledge transfer; participate in tier meetings, 5S, Kaizen, and closed-loop corrective action.
• Work with Production, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, IT/OT, HR/L&D, and equipment suppliers within approved standards and change-control boundaries.

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in controls, electrical, mechatronics, robotics, or related engineering; a Master’s degree is preferred.
• 10+ years in industrial automation or robotics, with 5+ years leading teams.
• Demonstrated greenfield launch and highly automated automotive experience; EV powertrain equipment experience.
• Fluent English; Arabic is strongly preferred.
• IEC 62443, functional-safety, robot-safety, and Lean/Six Sigma credentials are preferred.
• Experience with greenfield launch and ramp-up, TPM/Autonomous Maintenance, Lean problem-solving, and developing local technical talent in a multicultural workforce.
• Able to work around automated equipment and, where authorized, high-voltage powertrain products.

Technical and leadership skills

• Multi-platform PLC and industrial-network expertise; robot programming and recovery; cell-safety governance.
• SCADA, historian, MES/OT, and database integration; functional safety and OT cybersecurity leadership.
• Executive communication, financial acumen, and supplier governance.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off, holidays, and sick leave; and a 401(k) plan.
• Eligible employees may participate in an equity program and/or discretionary annual cash incentive program, subject to applicable plan terms.