Senior Manager, Automation & Smart Manufacturing

About Advanced Energy

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEIS), enables design breakthroughs and drives growth for leading semiconductors and industrial customers. Our precision power and control technologies, along with our applications know-how, inspire close partnerships and innovation in thin-film and industrial manufacturing. We are proud of our rich heritage, award-winning technologies, and we value the talents and contributions of all Advanced Energy's employees worldwide.

Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Automation & Smart Manufacturing, leads the global deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies across multiple sites. The role drives automation, robotics, machine vision, Industry 4.0, and smart factory initiatives to enhance productivity, quality, safety, and operational excellence.

Working closely with Operations, Engineering, Quality, IT, Supply Chain, and external partners, this position develops scalable automation solutions, supports factory setup and production ramp-ups, and standardizes best practices across global manufacturing locations. International travel may be required to support technology deployment and site operations, production ramp-up, technology transfer, and standardization across global sites.

This position will report to Director, Global Advanced Manufacturing Engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the global AME automation roadmap aligned with manufacturing and business objectives.
• Lead automation feasibility studies, ROI analysis, and CAPEX justification to support factory productivity and quality improvements.
• Establish global standards for automation equipment, smart workstations, and manufacturing processes across all sites.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure timely execution of projects and factory readiness.
• Lead development and deployment of AOI, AVI, Flexible AI AVI, and vision-based inspection technologies.
• Drive AI and machine learning applications for defect detection, quality monitoring, and process optimization.
• Drive implementation of machine connectivity, IIoT, Andon systems, and real-time machine monitoring.
• Lead development of digital manufacturing solutions, dashboards, and analytics for OEE, FPY, uptime, and productivity improvement.
• Collaborate with IT and Operations teams to improve digital traceability and factory automation integration.
• Develop and deploy robotic, collaborative robots (Cobot), and smart assembly workstation solutions.
• Define User Requirement Specifications (URS) and equipment acceptance criteria.
• Evaluate and manage automation suppliers, machine builders, system integrators, and technology partners.
• Ensure equipment reliability, maintainability, safety, and compliance with manufacturing requirements.
• Coach and mentor engineers in automation technologies, project management, and problem-solving methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or above in: Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Industrial Engineering.
• Professional certifications in Project Management, Six Sigma Black Belt, Automation, Robotics, or Industry 4.0 technologies are advantageous.
• Minimum 12+ years of manufacturing engineering and automation experience within electronics, industrial, semiconductor, or high-mix manufacturing environments.
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience managing automation, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering teams.
• Proven experience in deploying automation solutions across multiple manufacturing sites globally.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing automation across SMT, PCBA, wave soldering, assembly, testing, and material handling processes.
• Strong expertise in robotics, cobots, motion control, machine vision, AOI/AVI systems, AI-driven inspection technologies, and defect detection solutions.
• Deep knowledge of MES, eTrace, IIoT, machine connectivity, real-time monitoring, and smart factory/Industry 4.0 architectures.
• Proven capability in automation solution development, equipment validation and production buyoff, supported by Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Operational Excellence methodologies.
• Demonstrated success in managing large-scale automation projects from concept through production implementation.
• Experience supporting NPI, manufacturing ramp-up, technology transfer, and factory startup activities.
• Willing to be assigned to Laguna or Cavite, with flexibility for frequent business travel.

Compensation

As part of our total rewards philosophy, we believe in offering and maintaining competitive compensation and benefits programs for our employees to attract and retain a talented, highly engaged workforce. Our compensation programs are focused on equitable, fair pay practices including market-based base pay, an annual pay-for-performance incentive plan, we offer a strong benefits package in each of the countries in which we operate.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Advanced Energy is committed to diversity in its workforce including Equal Employment Opportunity for Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

We are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to administer your application in accordance with the RA No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.