Automation Engineering Manager

Location: Danville, VA

ABOUT AEROFARMS

AeroFarms is transforming agriculture with people and the planet in mind. As a Certified B Corporation and a pioneer in indoor vertical farming, we have built a proprietary agriculture platform to grow products delivering superior flavor, better quality, and improved nutrition and food safety in our industry.
Join AeroFarms at our advanced indoor vertical farming and automated packaging facility in Danville, VA as the Automation Engineering Manager. This role will lead the development, reliability, and continuous improvement of automation systems across production, packaging, and environmental control operations.
The Automation Engineering Manager will oversee automation engineers and technicians while driving improvements in PLC systems, SCADA development, industrial networking infrastructure, and overall equipment performance.

Position Overview

The Automation Engineering Manager is responsible for managing the design, implementation, and reliability of automation systems across the facility. This includes PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, packaging systems, SCADA platforms, and industrial networking infrastructure.
This role combines technical leadership, hands-on engineering, and team development to ensure that automation systems operate reliably, efficiently, and in support of production goals.
The Automation Engineering Manager will also support the development and expansion of AeroFarms’ SCADA infrastructure using the Ignition platform, enabling improved visibility, system integration, and operational data across the farm.

Automation System Leadership

• Manage the engineering, performance, and reliability of automation systems across production and packaging operations.
• Oversee PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, motion control systems, and automated packaging lines.
• Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex automation issues impacting operations.
• Develop standards and best practices for automation programming, documentation, and system design.

SCADA Development & Systems Integration

• Lead development and expansion of the facility’s SCADA platform using Ignition.
• Design and deploy SCADA dashboards, alarms, data visualization tools, and process monitoring systems.
• Integrate SCADA systems with PLCs, sensors, environmental systems, and packaging equipment.
• Support data visibility and system integration for operations, agronomy, and engineering teams.

Industrial Networking & Infrastructure

• Oversee the design and maintenance of industrial networking infrastructure supporting automation systems.
• Manage communication networks connecting PLCs, SCADA systems, robotics, sensors, and other automation equipment.
• Support technologies including managed industrial Ethernet switches, VLAN segmentation, industrial wireless systems, and network redundancy.
• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure secure integration between operational technology (OT) and IT systems.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead and mentor a team of automation engineers and controls technicians.
• Provide technical guidance on automation troubleshooting, system upgrades, and improvement initiatives.
• Develop training programs to expand automation capabilities across engineering and maintenance teams.

Continuous Improvement & System Optimization

• Identify opportunities to improve equipment uptime, automation performance, and operational efficiency.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for recurring automation or equipment issues.
• Support implementation of Lean and continuous improvement initiatives.

Capital Projects & Equipment Integration

• Support automation scope for new equipment installations and capital improvement projects.
• Work with equipment vendors, system integrators, and internal teams to implement automation upgrades.
• Lead commissioning and startup of new automated equipment.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure automation systems comply with machine safety standards, electrical safety requirements, and food manufacturing regulations.
• Maintain strong change management and documentation practices for automation systems.

Technical Scope

• PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens, Schneider, Wago)
• SCADA development using Ignition
• Robotics and motion-controlled systems
• Automated packaging equipment
• Servo and stepper motor systems
• Environmental monitoring and control systems
• Industrial sensors, instrumentation, pumps, valves, and motors
• Industrial networking infrastructure
• Data acquisition and system integration platforms

Qualifications

Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
• 7+ years of experience supporting automated manufacturing or industrial systems
• 2–4 years of experience leading engineering or technical teams
• Strong experience with PLC programming, automation systems, and troubleshooting

Preferred:
• Experience developing SCADA systems, particularly Ignition
• Experience managing automation in food manufacturing or regulated environments
• Knowledge of industrial networking and OT infrastructure
• Experience commissioning automated production equipment

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills
• Deep understanding of industrial automation systems
• Experience with SCADA platforms and industrial data systems
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capability
• Ability to manage complex technical systems in production environments
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills
• Ability to balance hands-on engineering with team leadership
Summary of Benefits:

Base salary range is $120,000–$150,000 annually, annual company/performance bonus, eligible for equity, matching 401k with no vesting period, 4+ weeks of vacation/sick time/PTO, group health plan including medical, dental, vision etc.

In accordance with organizational protocol, employees will at times be required to fill absences in the operation process that are equal to or lower than their positional hierarchy. Additionally, if an employee is absent, the role of the absent employee is to be completed by their immediate superior.

Internal candidates seeking a promotion must have completed a minimum of six months in their current role and/or have less than four attendance points, with no corrective actions before becoming eligible for consideration.