Manager of Automation Project Engineering

A Day in Your Life at MKS:

We are looking for an exceptional Automation Project Manager to join our team and lead the development of automation solutions for new and existing products across business units & global production sites in our Vacuum Systems Division.

In this role, you will lead a team of manufacturing and automation professionals in the development of automation solutions that enable the production of high tolerance instrumentation products, improving efficiency, cost, quality, and capacity in our global factories. This role will be a key member of the Global Operations leadership team reporting to the Sr Dir, Technical Operations / Manufacturing Engineering.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• Managing the automation project lifecycle, including requirements gathering, scope definition, conceptual design, vendor selection, detailed design, procurement, installation, commissioning, validation, and training

• Developing project budgets, tracking spending, and reporting on performance, including operational improvements post-deployment

• Identifying project risks (technical, schedule, budget, resource) and developing robust mitigation strategies to achieve business objectives

• Writing detailed Statements of Work (SOW) and equipment specifications, negotiating contracts, and managing external automation partners and suppliers to ensure deliverables are met on time and within budget

• Supporting implementation of design for automation guidelines and influencing cross-functional NPI teams during the product development process

• Collaborating with automation professionals in other divisions to align on best practices, automation standards, and control frameworks that accelerate implementation of automation solutions across global factories and production supercenters

Skills You Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline such as Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering or similar

• 5+ years of direct full lifecycle project management experience leading capital automation projects in a high-tech manufacturing environment or similar

• 2+ years of direct people management or leadership

• Project experience with a wide range of automation types to include: traditional automation, HMI development, and control systems for custom machinery, robotics & vision systems, autonomous material movement for part transport or similar

• Proven commitment to driving continuous improvement and innovation in manufacturing processes

Preferred:

• Prior hands-on experience as an automation or controls engineer is highly desirable

• Excellent organizational skills and leadership abilities with strong communication and people skills

• Familiarity with factory data collection systems (SCADA, MES), industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET), and big data management

Compensation and Benefits:

Salary Pay Range: $100,414.00 - 186,482.00 USD Annual qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. 

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].

Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be “U.S. persons.” “U.S. persons” are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.

MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries (“MKS”) is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .

If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role