Controls Engineering Manager

Controls Engineering Manager CKC Automation LLC Benicia, CA Job Details Full-time $145,000•$190,000 a year 10 hours ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Qualifications Resource allocation Budget management Industrial automation Sales proposal development Data Integration (Data management) Customer relationship building Human-machine interface (HMI) systems Engineering testing System troubleshooting Identifying new business opportunities System design Client relationship development Team development Business development Supervising experience Continuous improvement Team management Decision making Mentoring Forecasting Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) Scope management System architecture design Commissioning phase involvement Financial management Project leadership Project stakeholder communication Cross-functional communication Electrical control system design Performance evaluation

Full Job Description Description:

About CKC Automation CKC Automation transforms manufacturing processes through innovative automation solutions. Founded in 2005 (as CKC Engineering) and headquartered in Benicia, CA, we serve diverse industries across the Bay Area and West Coast — including automotive, medical device, pharmaceutical, energy, and semiconductor — combining deep technical expertise with creative problem-solving to tackle complex manufacturing challenges. We design and build custom automation solutions that improve efficiency, enhance quality, and drive innovation.

Our offerings include:

Custom Automated Equipment — Robotic workcells, build-to-print solutions, prototype equipment, and fixtures Control Panels — High-volume panel assembly from our UL 508A-certified panel shop Control Systems Integration — PLC, HMI, and robotic integration for optimized production Industrial Data Solutions — Real-time monitoring, analytics, and SCADA/data infrastructure

Website:

ckcautomation.com Why Join Us Get out from behind the desk—lead while staying hands-on with cutting-edge PLC, SCADA, and automation systems Own and drive high-visibility, complex industrial automation projects that actually ship Join a no-politics, high-performance engineering team that values execution and accountability Have a direct impact on technical direction, team growth, and business success About the Role We're hiring a hands-on Controls Engineering Manager who can lead a team and still dive into the work. You'll be responsible for delivering automation projects end-to-end—from concept through commissioning—while building and leading a team of strong engineers. This is not a passive management role. You'll stay close to the work, make critical technical decisions, and step in when it matters. You'll work side-by-side, in person, with engineering, project management, and sales to scope solutions, solve real problems, and deliver results for customers. We're looking for someone who moves fast, owns outcomes, and raises the bar for both technical execution and team performance. If you thrive in environments where expectations are high and results matter, you'll fit right in.

Requirements:

Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, and develop a team of Controls Engineers in a high-performance, accountable environment Provide technical mentorship and career development across all experience levels Allocate resources across projects based on skills, capacity, and priorities Establish and enforce engineering standards, best practices, and continuous improvement Conduct performance evaluations, feedback, and development planning Project & Technical Leadership Oversee execution of multiple automation projects (PLC, SCADA, HMI) from concept through commissioning Provide technical direction across system architecture, programming, testing, and startup Review and approve control system designs, PLC code, and automation architectures Lead key customer and internal technical discussions and project reviews Resolve complex technical and project challenges Operational Execution Drive on-time, on-budget, high-quality project delivery Manage resource planning, forecasting, utilization, and project margins Oversee billing, hours tracking, and financial performance of projects Ensure strong communication across engineering teams, project managers, and customers Maintain ~50% billable utilization while leading the team Sales & Business Support Partner with Sales on project estimates, proposals, and scope development Support pre-sales engineering and solution design Identify growth opportunities, technology trends, and capability gaps Build and maintain strong customer relationships, including re-engagement efforts Technical Expertise & Innovation Lead development using PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, motion control, and industrial networks Stay current on automation technologies, Industry 4.0 trends, and data integration Drive adoption of new tools, standards, and engineering methodologies Qualifications Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field 10+ years in industrial automation / controls engineering 3+ years in a leadership or management role (Controls Manager, Lead Engineer, Engineering Supervisor) Proven success delivering complex automation projects (design ? commissioning) Technical Skills PLC Programming (Allen-Bradley / Rockwell, Siemens, etc.) HMI Development (FactoryTalk, WinCC, Ignition, etc.)

SCADA Systems & Industrial Data Systems VFDs, Motion Control, Servo Systems Control Panel Design & Electrical Systems Industrial Networking:

EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, IO-Link, DeviceNet System Integration, Commissioning, Troubleshooting Leadership Skills Team leadership, coaching, and performance management Strong decision-making and problem-solving ability Ability to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environments Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Additional Requirements Willingness to travel to customer sites for installation and commissioning Flexibility to support off-hours or startup activities as needed

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Health insurance Dental insurance Vision insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Life insurance Paid time off Paid holidays

Base Salary:

$145,000•$170,000

Target Bonus:

$15,000•$25,000

Total Target Compensation:

$160,000•$190,000