Director of Industrial Controls & Automation - Jonesboro, AR (Onsite)

Welcome to Hytrol Careers

Overview

Are you a strategic engineering leader who enjoys building innovative automation solutions, developing high-performing teams, and driving business growth? Hytrol is seeking a Director of Industrial Controls & Automation to lead our Industrial Controls business and help shape the future of automation in the material handling industry. This is an opportunity to lead Controls Engineering, Electrical Design, the UL508A Certified Panel Shop, and the development of technologies that create value for Hytrol and our Integration Partners.

This role requires a visible, engaged leader who is actively involved with employees, supports day-to-day operations, and builds strong relationships across the organization. The Director is expected to provide consistent onsite leadership, develop talent, foster accountability, and promote collaboration while ensuring teams have the direction and support needed to achieve business objectives.

The Director balances technical excellence with business growth by developing competitive controls products, expanding the Industrial Controls business, improving operational execution, and strengthening Hytrol's leadership position within the material handling industry. Working closely with Business Development, Product Management, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Manufacturing, Marketing, and Integration Partners, this leader will help deliver innovative automation solutions that support our customers and position Hytrol for continued success.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the long-term strategy for Hytrol's Industrial Controls business
• Identify opportunities to increase controls-related revenue and profitability
• Develop new products, software, and automation solutions that differentiate Hytrol in the marketplace
• Build and maintain the technology roadmap for industrial controls while evaluating emerging technologies including PLC platforms, motion control, safety systems, and AI-enabled automation
• Support Business Development by meeting with Integration Partners, participating in strategic customer presentations and technical workshops, identifying new product opportunities, and supporting pricing strategies and product positioning
• Lead Controls Engineering, Electrical Design, Control System Architecture, Control Standards, Software Standards, Safety System Design, Electrical Documentation, and Product Standardization
• Establish engineering standards and best practices while ensuring scalable, maintainable control architectures and improving engineering productivity, design quality, and reliability
• Provide leadership for the UL508A Certified Panel Shop by ensuring high-quality panel construction, improving throughput and efficiency, maintaining UL508A compliance, supporting manufacturing schedules, improving labor productivity, managing component selection and standardization, and supporting cost reduction initiatives
• Lead the development of next-generation controls platforms while improving existing controls products through hardware and software standardization, improved manufacturability, increased reliability, cost reduction, and ease of commissioning
• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing employees while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Conduct performance reviews, foster cross-functional collaboration, and promote servant leadership throughout the organization
• Partner with Business Development, Integration Partners, and end users to support strategic sales opportunities, major customer projects, and complex technical issues
• Represent Hytrol at trade shows and industry events while presenting new technologies and automation solutions

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of industrial controls or automation experience
• Minimum of 5 years leading engineering teams
• Demonstrated leadership experience in industrial controls, automation, or a related engineering environment
• Experience leading engineering teams and cross-functional technical organizations
• Experience with industrial PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, industrial networking, and safety systems
• Strong understanding of control system architecture and engineering best practices
• Strong financial and business acumen
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Proven ability to develop talent, build collaborative relationships, and lead organizational improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• UL508A experience
• Background in the material handling industry
• Knowledge of warehouse automation systems
• Familiarity with Industrial Ethernet protocols
• Understanding of cybersecurity for industrial controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline

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