Head of Automation Jobs
Head of Automation jobs are open across manufacturing, logistics, software, and financial services, from senior manager to VP and C-suite, with specializations in robotic process automation, industrial controls, and intelligent process automation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Head of Automation JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Head of Automation jobs
Head of Automation
Portsmouth, NH
Onsite
As the Head of Automation, you will provide strategic leadership for site automation systems, including process control systems, manufacturing execution systems, and operational technology. This is an exciting opportunity to shape automation strategy, lead high-impact initiatives, and drive operational excellence in support of life-changing therapies.
What you will get
- An agile career and dynamic working culture.
- An inclusive and ethical workplace.
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Opportunities to lead strategic site-wide initiatives.
- Exposure to cross-functional and global collaboration.
- Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.
What you will do
- Lead and develop a high-performing automation team supporting process control, manufacturing execution, and operational technology systems.
- Drive automation strategy to improve system reliability, production efficiency, and operational performance.
- Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and IT teams to deliver automation solutions that support business objectives.
- Lead technology transfer projects and ensure successful integration of new processes, systems, and technologies.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives that reduce downtime, improve productivity, and optimize manufacturing operations.
- Oversee automation project budgets, resource planning, and long-term roadmap development.
- Use data, root cause analysis, and performance metrics to identify opportunities and implement sustainable improvements.
What we are looking for
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
- Significant leadership experience supporting automation systems within biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology manufacturing environments.
- Strong experience leading complex projects and cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of process control systems, manufacturing execution systems, and operational technology environments.
- Understanding of cGMP-regulated manufacturing and quality requirements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Proven ability to develop, mentor, and lead high-performing technical teams.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.
Head of Automation
Portsmouth, NH
Onsite
As the Head of Automation, you will provide strategic leadership for site automation systems, including process control systems, manufacturing execution systems, and operational technology. This is an exciting opportunity to shape automation strategy, lead high-impact initiatives, and drive operational excellence in support of life-changing therapies.
What you will get
- An agile career and dynamic working culture.
- An inclusive and ethical workplace.
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Opportunities to lead strategic site-wide initiatives.
- Exposure to cross-functional and global collaboration.
- Professional growth and leadership development opportunities.
What you will do
- Lead and develop a high-performing automation team supporting process control, manufacturing execution, and operational technology systems.
- Drive automation strategy to improve system reliability, production efficiency, and operational performance.
- Partner with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and IT teams to deliver automation solutions that support business objectives.
- Lead technology transfer projects and ensure successful integration of new processes, systems, and technologies.
- Champion continuous improvement initiatives that reduce downtime, improve productivity, and optimize manufacturing operations.
- Oversee automation project budgets, resource planning, and long-term roadmap development.
- Use data, root cause analysis, and performance metrics to identify opportunities and implement sustainable improvements.
What we are looking for
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
- Significant leadership experience supporting automation systems within biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology manufacturing environments.
- Strong experience leading complex projects and cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of process control systems, manufacturing execution systems, and operational technology environments.
- Understanding of cGMP-regulated manufacturing and quality requirements.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Proven ability to develop, mentor, and lead high-performing technical teams.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.
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Find Head of Automation JobsHead of Automation Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Investment & Asset Management
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of automation jobs.
- 7 or more years of experience leading automation programs or engineering teams
- Proficiency with RPA platforms such as UiPath, Automation Anywhere, or Blue Prism
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field
- Experience building and managing cross-functional automation centers of excellence
- Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or other process-improvement methodologies
- Certifications in RPA platforms, PMP, or cloud automation services preferred
Tips for Your Head of Automation Job Search
Quantify your automation ROI clearly
Hiring managers want numbers, not narratives. Document the cycle-time reductions, error-rate drops, and cost savings your automation programs delivered, even approximate figures from internal dashboards, so your resume speaks the language of business outcomes.
Align your resume to the stack
Head of automation postings split sharply between IT-led RPA shops and OT-heavy industrial environments. Tailor your resume's skills section to reflect whether the role uses workflow automation platforms or PLC and SCADA systems, not both generically.
Target companies mid-transformation
Organizations that announced digital-transformation initiatives in the past two years are actively building automation leadership. Search for companies that have recently hired automation engineers or analysts in volume, since they're the ones most likely to need a head next.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head of automation openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a build-versus-buy framework answer
Interviewers for this role almost always ask how you decide between building automation in-house and purchasing a platform. Walk into the interview with a concrete framework you've used, including the criteria you weighted and a real decision you made.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Head of automation offers vary widely in what the role actually controls. Before accepting, clarify budget authority, team headcount, and whether the mandate covers enterprise-wide automation or a single business unit, since that shapes your leverage and long-term impact.
Head of Automation Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head of automations?
The companies hiring the most head of automations right now include Vay, Uber, and Lonza, with the largest share of openings in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Illinois, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is concentrated in manufacturing, insurance, and large enterprise technology organizations.
How many head of automation jobs are remote?
About 75% of head of automation openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though fully on-site roles remain common when the position oversees physical production lines or factory floor systems. RPA and intelligent-process-automation roles tied to back-office functions tend to have the highest remote availability.
How do you become a head of automation?
Start by building deep hands-on experience with at least one automation platform, then move into team-lead or program-manager roles where you own delivery outcomes. Develop a portfolio of measurable process improvements, earn a relevant certification, and take on cross-functional projects that demonstrate you can align automation strategy with business goals before pursuing director or head-level titles.
Can you get a head of automation job without direct leadership experience?
It's possible if you've led automation programs informally, such as architecting a center of excellence, mentoring junior engineers, or owning a roadmap end to end, even without a direct-reports title. Frame those experiences explicitly on your resume, focus applications on companies building their first automation function, and emphasize your ability to hire and develop a team as an immediate priority.
What does the head of automation interview process look like?
Expect a recruiter screen followed by a hiring-manager conversation focused on your automation philosophy and past program scope, then a technical or case-study round where you're asked to design a solution or evaluate a build-versus-buy scenario. Final rounds typically include a panel with engineering, operations, and finance stakeholders, and sometimes a presentation of a past automation initiative with questions on ROI and change management.
Where can I find and apply to head of automation jobs?
You can find and apply to head of automation jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each listing.
See All 12 Head of Automation Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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