Senior Manager, Controls Engineering

We are seeking a leader for the Controls Engineering function. As the single-threaded owner of controls and automation strategy, your organization will own the full lifecycle—design, programming, commissioning, deployment, ramp, and sustained operations. You will define controls standards, architect the integration strategy across MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA layers, and partner with integrators to ensure flawless execution.

This role spans pilot operations through high-volume production across diverse processes. You will build a multi-disciplinary team of controls, automation, and SCADA engineers who support line development, launch, and sustained production. You will operate with high autonomy and a bias for action—diving deep into systems architecture and team development while ensuring daily production reliability, safety, and performance.

Key job responsibilities

• Controls Design & Development

• Define and implement global PLC architecture, programming standards, and controls design specifications. Establish a scalable framework supporting pilot through high-volume production.

• Develop and enforce controls standards (hardware, software, networking); ensure system integrators and vendors deliver in strict compliance.

• Own the SCADA/HMI layer strategy (e.g., Ignition)—design, deploy, and maintain systems providing real-time visibility into line performance, alarms, and production data.

• Lead automation integration (e.g., Fanuc, Kuka) across assembly and automation cells, ensuring standardized programming, safety compliance, and maintainability.

• Own functional safety design (SafetyPLC, safety-rated networks) and enforce equipment safety standards for all automated systems, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and Amazon safety requirements.

• MES & Systems Integration

• Architect the MES integration strategy bridging MES, ERP, WMS, QMS, PLC, and SCADA layers. Ensure seamless data flow from shop floor to enterprise systems.

• Partner with the Factory Software team on system architecture, data models, and integration. Define clear interface boundaries and ensure coordinated deployment.

• Drive traceability, genealogy, and quality data capture at the controls layer to support analytics, yield improvement, and regulatory compliance.

• Establish standards for connectivity protocols (OPC-UA, Ether Net/IP, PROFINET), data historians, and reporting infrastructure enabling data-driven decision making.

• Line Deployment, Commissioning & Ramp

• Own controls engineering scope for line deployment: design review, vendor management, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp to high-volume production.

• Manage system integrator relationships end-to-end: define specifications, conduct design reviews, enforce adherence to controls standards, and drive issue resolution.

• Lead troubleshooting, optimization, cycle time improvement, and reliability growth through production ramp to steady-state operations.

• Collaborate with Operations, Process Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure controls solutions meet their operational and production requirements.

• Drive root cause analysis on system failures; implement countermeasures and preventive mechanisms to improve reliability and uptime.

• Develop commissioning playbooks, validation protocols, and startup checklists enabling repeatable, rapid line launches across facilities.

• Team Building & Sustained Operations

• Build the Controls Engineering organization from the ground up: hire and develop a multi-disciplinary team of controls, automation, SCADA, and MES engineers plus technicians.

• Establish team structure and operating model supporting line development, launch, and sustained operations with 24/7 production support capability.

• Create mechanisms for knowledge management, troubleshooting databases, and continuous improvement of controls reliability (MTTR/MTBF).

• Own technical documentation for all electrical and control systems.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, ownership, and operational rigor with the highest standards for system quality and documentation.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, automation engineering, or equivalent, or 1+ years of industrial controls and automation experience
• 10+ years of experience in controls engineering, industrial automation, or related disciplines.
• 5+ years in a leadership role building and managing multi-disciplinary controls/automation engineering teams.
• Demonstrated experience deploying control systems from pilot through volume production, including FAT, SAT, commissioning, and ramp.
• Hands-on experience in production environments with exposure to operations and the practical challenges of sustaining automated systems.
• Expertise in PLC programming and architecture (Siemens TIA Portal and/or Rockwell Studio 5000/Control Logix).
• Experience with SCADA/HMI system design, deployment, and management (e.g., Ignition, Factory Talk, WinCC).
• Experience managing system integrators and ensuring vendor compliance with controls standards. Working knowledge of MES architecture and integration with ERP, WMS, QMS, and shop-floor systems.
• Experience in high-mix or evolving product environments where controls systems must adapt to frequent design changes.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years in controls or automation with progressive leadership responsibilities, including greenfield production launches.
• Experience in automotive, aerospace, battery/energy, or other advanced production environments at scale.
• Expertise in industrial automation programming and integration (Fanuc, KUKA, ABB, or similar acceptable).
• Experience building controls standards and architecture from scratch for a new organization.
• Knowledge of industrial networking (Ether Net/IP, PROFINET, OPC-UA), OT cybersecurity, IT/OT convergence, data historians, and production analytics.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and simplify complex control system architectures at scale.
• Familiarity with safety system design (SafetyPLC, safety-rated networks) and compliance with relevant standards (IEC 62443, NFPA 79, ISO 13849).
• Master's degree in Engineering or MBA with technical background. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for executive-level technical narratives.
• Track record of delivering results in fast-paced, high-growth environments with strong ownership and bias for action.

Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.

Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.

USA, TX, Austin - 179,700.00 - 243,100.00 USD annually