Automation Engineering Manager

Job Title

Position Overview

Shaw Industries is seeking an experienced Automation Manager to lead and support automation systems across multiple yarn extrusion, twisting, and heat-set manufacturing facilities. This position will be based at our manufacturing plant in Aiken, South Carolina but will support other plants in the area.  It will provide technical leadership, strategic direction, and hands-on support for industrial automation initiatives throughout the organization.

The Automation Manager will be responsible for maintaining and improving plant automation systems, supporting automation projects, supporting operational reliability, managing relationships with equipment OEMs and integrators, and serving as a key liaison between Operations, Engineering, and Information Technology (IT). This role requires a strong technical background, excellent communication skills, and the ability to drive continuous improvement across multiple manufacturing sites.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and support for automation systems across multiple yarn manufacturing facilities.
• Manage and support Siemens PLC, HMI, and industrial control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Develop and execute automation strategies that improve equipment uptime, product quality, operational efficiency, and cybersecurity.
• Lead automation-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope development, vendor coordination, budgeting, scheduling, and startup support.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with equipment OEMs, system integrators, automation suppliers, robotics providers, and AGV vendors.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Manufacturing, Engineering, and Corporate IT teams to ensure alignment of plant automation, networking, cybersecurity, and data initiatives.
• Support manufacturing data collection, reporting, and analytics platforms to enable data-driven decision making.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to plant maintenance, engineering, and controls personnel.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, backup procedures, and change management processes.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, controls, networking, robotics, AGV, and system integration issues.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to process control, machine performance, material handling, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support plant cybersecurity initiatives and ensure compliance with corporate standards and best practices.
• Travel periodically to support automation activities at multiple manufacturing locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred. 
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or manufacturing systems support.
• Demonstrated experience with:
  • Siemens PLC programming and troubleshooting
  • Siemens HMI systems
  • Industrial networking and communications
  • Automation project management and system integration
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across operations, engineering, maintenance, and IT organizations.
• Experience managing vendor, OEM, and system integrator relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition platform development and administration.
• Experience with SQL databases, data historians, and manufacturing reporting systems.
• Experience with additional PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Beckhoff, Schneider, or similar systems.
• Experience supporting industrial robotic systems and robotic arms in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting or implementing Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), or automated material handling systems.
• Knowledge of manufacturing execution systems (MES), SCADA systems, and industrial data collection architectures.
• Experience supporting enterprise-wide automation standards and multi-site manufacturing operations.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Experience in yarn extrusion, twisting, heat-setting, textile manufacturing, or other continuous-process manufacturing environments.

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