Manufacturing Engineering & Automation Manager

Silgan Containers•Chesterfield, MO

10d

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineering & Automation Manager is responsible for leading manufacturing engineering, automation, and technical improvement efforts to support safe, efficient, and cost-effective production at Silgan Plastics. This role provides leadership over manufacturing engineering, automation systems, capital project execution, maintenance strategy, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position serves as a technical leader and change agent, driving equipment reliability, automation capability, process standardization, and scalability across operations. The role is critical in supporting capital deployment, new product introductions, and long-term automation strategy, Key Responsibilities Manufacturing Engineering & Automation- Lead manufacturing engineering and automation strategy to improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost. Support and enhance automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems, and auxiliary equipment. Partner with operations, maintenance, and corporate resources to standardize automation platforms, controls architecture, and best practices. Provide technical leadership for troubleshooting complex equipment and controls issues. Capital Projects & ROI- Own capital project scope, justification, budgeting, execution, and post-installation ROI validation. Lead equipment specifications, vendor selection, FAT/SAT, installation, and startup activities. Ensure capital investments align with operational needs, automation roadmaps, and long-term site strategy. Maintenance & Reliability Leadership- Provide support to the maintenance organization (supervisors and skilled trades). Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to improve uptime and asset reliability. Continuous Improvement & Cost Reduction- Identify and execute cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives, including: Labor optimization Secondary packaging improvements Scrap reduction Freight and material flow optimization Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools (5S, SMED, VSM, Root Cause Analysis, Constraint Management). New Product Introduction (NPI)- Lead engineering and automation support for new product introductions, ensuring: Equipment capability Process robustness Documentation and training readiness Partner with R&D, Quality, and Operations to ensure successful commercialization. Utilities & Infrastructure- Develop and execute infrastructure standardization plans for: Compressed air Chilled and tower water Electrical distribution Ensure systems support current and future automation demands. Safety, Training & Documentation- Provide engineering solutions to reduce risk identified through near misses and incident investigations. Develop and maintain equipment documentation, standard work, and training materials. Ensure compliance with safety standards and support PPE and guarding improvements.

Requirements

High School Diploma
5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment
Strong project management and capital execution experience
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CMMS systems
2D CAD drawing skills for plant layouts and equipment requests.
Demonstrated application of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
Strong working knowledge of Six Sigma tools and data-driven problem solving
Working knowledge of: PLC-based control systems HMIs and industrial networks Pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems
Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external automation resources
Collaborative, hands-on leadership style
Strong communication skills across hourly, salaried, and leadership teams
Proven ability to lead change and influence without authority

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related)
Plastics or blow molding experience
Prior responsibility for automation or controls systems
3D modeling capability is a plus
Experience supporting or leading automation upgrades is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Lead manufacturing engineering and automation strategy to improve safety, quality, throughput, and cost.
Support and enhance automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems, and auxiliary equipment.
Partner with operations, maintenance, and corporate resources to standardize automation platforms, controls architecture, and best practices.
Provide technical leadership for troubleshooting complex equipment and controls issues.
Own capital project scope, justification, budgeting, execution, and post-installation ROI validation.
Lead equipment specifications, vendor selection, FAT/SAT, installation, and startup activities.
Ensure capital investments align with operational needs, automation roadmaps, and long-term site strategy.
Provide support to the maintenance organization (supervisors and skilled trades).
Drive preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to improve uptime and asset reliability.
Identify and execute cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives, including: Labor optimization Secondary packaging improvements Scrap reduction Freight and material flow optimization Apply Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools (5S, SMED, VSM, Root Cause Analysis, Constraint Management).
Lead engineering and automation support for new product introductions, ensuring: Equipment capability Process robustness Documentation and training readiness Partner with R&D, Quality, and Operations to ensure successful commercialization.
Develop and execute infrastructure standardization plans for: Compressed air Chilled and tower water Electrical distribution Ensure systems support current and future automation demands.
Provide engineering solutions to reduce risk identified through near misses and incident investigations.
Develop and maintain equipment documentation, standard work, and training materials.
Ensure compliance with safety standards and support PPE and guarding improvements.