Job Title: Senior Project Manager – Automation Group
Location: El Paso, Texas (Remote Flexibility with 25-30% Travel)
Industry: Medical Devices
Reports To: Director of Operations and Engineering
Job Overview
We are seeking a Senior Technical Project Manager to lead the Automation Group for a global leader in the medical devices industry. This role is crucial in driving the development and maintenance of high-speed automation equipment across multiple sites. You will be managing a growing team, currently consisting of 5 members, and will oversee multiple automation projects in various stages of completion. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in high-speed automation, project management, and a deep understanding of manufacturing, engineering, and system integration. The position is based in El Paso, TX, with up to 30% travel to Juarez, Mexico, and vendor locations.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead and manage the Automation Group, overseeing a team of 5 engineers, with responsibility for recruitment and team expansion.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture, ensuring team members are aligned with project goals.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to team members, helping them grow their skills in automation and engineering disciplines.
Project Management:
- Oversee the execution of up to 3 high-speed automation projects at any given time, each at different stages of development.
- Develop project schedules, timelines, and milestones, ensuring all deliverables are met on time and within budget.
- Manage FAT/SAT (Factory and Site Acceptance Testing) processes for test equipment and ensure equipment integration aligns with industry standards.
- Coordinate installation and ramp-up efforts across various sites, with on-site presence during key phases.
Engineering & Technical Expertise:
- Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, process engineering, and cross-functional teams to design, develop, and implement high-speed automation systems.
- Maintain and develop test equipment and ensure the proper functionality of PLCs, HMIs, vision systems (Cognex), and robotic systems (Fanuc).
- Drive standardization efforts, particularly around Allen Bradley PLCs, across multiple systems to improve efficiency and streamline processes.
Vendor & Stakeholder Management:
- Engage with external vendors, including attending site visits, to ensure project progress, troubleshoot issues, and drive alignment with internal project goals.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between the company and vendors, ensuring effective communication and progress tracking.
- Collaborate with internal teams across different departments and sites to ensure seamless project integration and progress.
Process Improvement & Standardization:
- Lead initiatives to optimize automation processes across different manufacturing lines, with a focus on increasing efficiency, reducing downtime, and improving overall output.
- Identify areas for process improvement, propose solutions, and lead the implementation of new technologies or methodologies.
Key Requirements
Experience:
- 7+ years of project management experience, with at least 4-5 years in a senior leadership role.
- Proven experience managing automation teams and complex engineering projects, ideally within the medical device or pharmaceutical industries.
- Experience managing multiple reports and handling project complexities across various locations.
Technical Expertise:
- Strong background in high-speed automation equipment development and management.
- Deep understanding of manufacturing and process engineering in highly regulated environments.
- Hands-on experience with PLC integration, particularly Allen Bradley systems, as well as Cognex vision systems and Fanuc robotic systems.
- Proven track record of working with FAT/SAT processes for test equipment and validation.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, or related field). Advanced degree preferred.
- Skills:
- Expertise in managing and integrating PLCs and HMIs across various systems.
- Strong project management skills, with experience using PM tools and methodologies.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, both internally and externally.
- Ability to travel up to 30%, including to the Juarez, Mexico site and vendor locations.
- Travel: Willingness to travel (up to 25-30%) to Juarez, Mexico, and vendor sites for installations, project reviews, and critical project phases.
