Summary:

The Automation Program Manager leads support for robotic, fabrication, and automation systems across Miller Industries facilities. This role improves program execution, expands technical and project support, reduces downtime, supports automation growth, and promotes consistency across locations.

This role leads automation projects, equipment lifecycle management, reliability improvements, technician development, cross-training, standards implementation, and support activities. It partners with Automation Programmers, Robotic Technicians, Operations, Engineering, vendors, and contractors to ensure systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while supporting long-term business objectives. The Automation Program Manager works independently, provides technical leadership, coordinates initiatives across facilities, mentors team members, and helps advance the company's automation program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Equipment Support and Reliability

• Provide leadership and support for troubleshooting efforts involving robotic, fabrication, and automation equipment.
• Support technicians and programmers in diagnosing electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, controls, and robotic system failures.
• Coordinate recovery efforts during major production interruptions.
• Lead preventative and predictive maintenance strategy development for automation assets.
• Monitor equipment performance and identify recurring failure trends.
• Support critical spare parts planning and inventory management.
• Coordinate automation support activities across multiple facilities as required.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, uptime, maintainability, and overall performance.

Project Management and Execution

• Lead installation, relocation, startup, commissioning, and validation of automation and fabrication equipment.
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, integrators, facility resources, and automation personnel during projects.
• Support capital project planning, budgeting, execution, and equipment upgrades.
• Participate in equipment acceptance testing and project handoff activities.
• Provide project status updates, risk assessments, and resource planning recommendations.
• Support new equipment launches and ensure documentation, training, spare parts, and maintenance requirements are established.

Programming and Technical Support

• Coordinate with Automation Programmers during the deployment of robotic programs and process improvements.
• Support robot mastering, calibration, TCP validation, work object setup, and robotic cell recovery activities when needed.
• Assist with troubleshooting robotic motion, weld processes, cutting processes, material handling systems, and peripheral devices.
• Participate in testing and validation of new automation systems before production release.
• Support evaluation of new automation technologies, equipment, and process improvement opportunities.

Automation Program Development

• Support development and implementation of automation standards across all facilities.
• Assist with creation and maintenance of procedures, best practices, training materials, and technical documentation.
• Promote consistency in automation support processes, spare parts strategies, maintenance practices, and documentation standards.
• Support the long-term automation roadmap through execution of automation initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Help ensure lessons learned, technical knowledge, and project information are shared across facilities.

Leadership and Team Development

• Mentor robotic technicians, automation personnel, and programming resources.
• Assist with technician training, career development, and cross-training initiatives.
• Support knowledge-sharing efforts to reduce single-person dependency and improve backup coverage.
• Establish technical expectations, troubleshooting best practices, and support standards.
• Serve as an escalation resource for complex automation issues.
• Promote collaboration between Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Automation, and leadership teams.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve automation reliability, performance, safety, efficiency, and consistency.
• Support automation expansion initiatives and future technology evaluations.
• Participate in long-term automation planning and equipment lifecycle management.
• Assist in the development of maintenance procedures, reliability strategies, and automation standards.
• Use equipment history, recurring issues, project lessons learned, and operational feedback to drive continuous improvement efforts.

Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in a technical field or equivalent automation, robotics, industrial maintenance, or fabrication experience.
• Knowledge of robotics, automation, fabrication, and industrial control systems.
• Ability to lead projects, support multiple facilities, and provide technical leadership.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read technical documentation.
• Travel as required.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Company Matched 401(k)
• AD&D, Disability & Basic Life - no cost to you!
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Professional Development programs
• Career Advancement opportunities
• 9 paid holidays each year.
• Paid Vacation

We don't just give lip service to our innovation in the recovery industry; in 2019 we unveiled the FIRST & ONLY Rotator in the world capable of lifting 200,000 lbs. To watch how this amazing vehicle came to be please click on the following link: The Century M100.

For more awesome information on Miller Industries check out more links below:

Introduction to Miller Industries

Ooltewah, TN Large Wrecker Plant Tour

Ooltewah, TN Small Wrecker Plant Tour

Ooltewah TN, Paint Process Tour

Hermitage, PA Plant Tour

The Century M100, 100-Ton Rotator