Director of Automation

Who We Are:
Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

The Director of Automation will be responsible for helping define and update the long-term technology roadmap of the company and leading a talented group of engineers across hardware and software disciplines to develop and design automation solutions.  This role will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) within our existing and future operations.  This leader will influence and direct the overall assessment, maintenance, and upgrading of the current automation and control infrastructure.  He or She will combine fundamental controls and process engineering knowledge with recent advances in automation to deliver creative solutions that solve real-world manufacturing problems.  This person will work to locate external emerging and novel technologies and vet their performance to solve business needs.

What You'll Do:

• Review vendor automation systems specifications / scope documentation and validate systems design with Integrator
• Standardize automation systems
• Initiate and lead automation systems obsolescence conversions
• Create, automation sequence of operation, process flow diagram, and ensure design meets requirement
• Design/overview system layouts, schematics, and control devices
• Drives the right technology choices for automation and presents the technology roadmap for both immediate and long-term growth
• Combines deep process engineering understanding and machine learning capability to create scalable controls and manufacturing solutions
• Takes the business problems and derives to a technology solution that may encompass one or more products and services, ensuring it aligns with business objectives and fits into the technology roadmap of the organization
• Responsible for the development of the standard software and hardware architecture(s) for all automation projects and will work with multiple teams for coordinated implementation
• Develops and implements the manufacturing vision, strategy/technology roadmap that supports the convergence of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
• Mobilize leadership to develop and prioritize digital transformation roadmap across functions (Operations, R&D, Quality, Planning, and Logistics)
• Lead and drive implementation of Industry 4.0 / IIoT solutions including taking the lead on technical design, development, and validation of a variety of IIoT proof-of-concept use-cases
• Manage automation group, process control, manufacturing execution system (MES) and resources according to corporate strategies, standards and specifications.
• Continuously improve the operation, driving innovation, including the utilization of new technology and automation with effective utilization of capital and return on investment
• Develop strategic operating procedures that support business objectives and evaluate new or improved operating methods, technology, equipment, facility design, and layout
• Exhibit leadership qualities that move the business forward through the collective talents and efforts of self and others
• Demonstrate data as strategic asset within respective business functions
• Coordinate and prioritize digitalization initiatives across the operations business

When and Where:

This will be a 8AM-5PM M-F position located at our Corporate Office in Walker, MI.

What You Need to Have:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree; or related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing industries with a strong focus on automat