We are looking for:- Global Automation Lead - ControlsSyensqo is seeking an experienced Global Automation Lead - Controls to lead our global controls engineering capability within Composite Materials.
- This is a hands-on leadership role, combining people management and technical leadership with direct ownership and delivery of strategic automation and controls projects.
- The successful candidate will lead and develop a team of Controls Engineers, establish the global controls and automation strategy, and drive the standardisation and modernisation of control systems across our manufacturing sites.
- Alongside setting direction for the team, the Global Automation Lead - Controls will remain actively involved in project delivery, personally leading key automation initiatives including PLC upgrades, controls modernisation, instrumentation, MES integration, and wider digital manufacturing projects.
- The role will work closely with site engineering and operations teams, IT, senior stakeholders, and other global functions to develop and execute a controls roadmap that improves reliability, standardisation, manufacturing performance, and long-term sustainability of our automation systems.
We count on you to:- Lead, manage, and develop a global team of Controls Engineers, providing technical direction, coaching, prioritisation, and support.
- Define and own the global controls and automation strategy and roadmap, aligned with manufacturing and business priorities.
- Establish and drive global standards, specifications, and best practices for PLCs, control systems, instrumentation, networks, and automation architecture.
- Identify opportunities to modernise legacy control systems and develop structured plans for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and controls infrastructure upgrades.
- Personally lead and deliver strategic automation and controls projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
- Provide technical leadership and governance for projects delivered by Controls Engineers, sites, system integrators, and external partners.
- Collaborate closely with IT and digital teams to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable integration between Operational Technology (OT) and IT systems.
- Lead and support the integration of PLC and control systems with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and other manufacturing digital platforms.
- Drive improvements in instrumentation and data collection to enable better process visibility, manufacturing analytics, and operational decision-making.
- Develop multi-year controls and automation investment plans, identifying priorities based on business value, operational risk, obsolescence, and reliability.
- Develop, manage, and optimise capital budgets for automation and controls projects, ensuring effective allocation of resources and delivery of expected business benefits.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders, site leadership, engineering, operations, and other functions to align automation priorities and influence investment decisions.
- Build capability across the organisation by developing engineering standards, sharing best practices, and improving controls engineering knowledge across sites.
- Support the selection and management of automation vendors, system integrators, and technology partners.
- Ensure automation solutions comply with applicable safety, cybersecurity, engineering, and industry standards.
- Maintain awareness of emerging automation and manufacturing technologies and assess opportunities for their application across Syensqo Composite Materials.
You will bring:- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Significant experience in industrial controls, automation engineering, PLC programming, system upgrades, and controls integration within a manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience leading, managing, or developing engineers and technical teams.
- Strong technical knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, instrumentation, and automation architectures.
- Experience developing automation strategies, standards, technical roadmaps, or multi-site controls programmes.
- Strong understanding of MES and the integration of manufacturing control systems with higher-level digital and IT systems.
- Proven project leadership experience, including managing complex automation projects from concept through implementation and commissioning.
- Experience developing and managing capital projects and budgets.
- Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on project execution and technical problem-solving.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, site leadership, and senior business stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively across multiple sites, functions, cultures, and geographical regions.
- Willingness to travel internationally as required.
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience leading controls or automation engineering teams within a multi-site or global manufacturing organisation.
- Advanced knowledge of major industrial automation platforms, particularly Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens.
- Certifications or advanced training in PLC programming, industrial automation, project management, or related disciplines.
- Experience with MES, SCADA, historian, industrial data, and manufacturing digitalisation platforms.
- Knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity principles and industrial network architecture.
- Experience developing global engineering standards and driving their adoption across multiple manufacturing sites.
- Experience managing system integrators, OEMs, and automation technology partners.
- Familiarity with industry standards and best practices relating to controls, automation, functional safety, and manufacturing systems.
You will get:- Competitive salary and benefits package
- The U.S. base salary range reasonably expected to be paid for this position is $144,800-$181,000 per year. Since actual compensation packages are based on a variety of factors unique to each candidate we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted base salary range. Total compensation for this role also includes bonus and/or other incentives.
- 16, or more weeks, of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
- Training platform for all employees
- Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)
Additional Information: Location: Proximity to one of our Syensqo sites in Anaheim, CA; Greenville, TX; Havre De Grace, MD; Winona, MN; or Piedmont, SC (relocation assistance available for the right candidate) - Global travel required
- Join our team and play a key role in shaping the future of automation across Syensqo Composite Materials.
- This position offers the opportunity to set the global controls strategy, build and develop a high-performing engineering team, and personally lead projects that transform our manufacturing operations.
