Lead, Manufacturing Engineer- Automation
L3Harris · Huntsville, AL
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 25%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 9+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management controls role at L3Harris (aerospace & defense) in Huntsville, AL. Design and implement manufacturing technology, optimizing throughput and improving operational cycle time.
- They ask for
- 9+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation, Time studies
- Day to day
- about 25% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Alabama: typical posted base $89k–$119k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 21 controls engineer openings in Alabama, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 20 other live controls postings in Alabama.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (9+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 81%
- ✓ PLC 71%
- ✓ Robotics 52%
- ✓ Root cause 38%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
- ✓ New product launch 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at L3Harris
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- The posting says about 25% travel. Between which sites?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: L3Harris in Huntsville
17 other open roles at this site.
- Lead, Manufacturing Engineer- Composites · Manufacturing · Manager
- Sr Specialist, Automation Manufacturing Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering- Digital Factory Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing · Manager
- Specialist, Quality Engineer · Quality
- Specialist, Manufacturing Engineer (1st Shift) · Manufacturing
- Specialist, Facilities Engineer 1 · Reliability
Full description from L3HarrisAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and craft solutions which align with the organization’s vision for manufacturing modernization. This requires motivated, self-starting individuals with a passion for technical creativity and the ability to work with others to achieve results. Furthermore, Automation Engineers will lead the automation solutions through project management activities, developing requirements, working with key suppliers, testing the automation, and transitioning the solution to production.
Responsibilities
- ◆Design and implement manufacturing technology, optimizing throughput and improving operational cycle time
- ◆Troubleshoot and maintain custom automation and robotics systems
- ◆Analyze production Process and Workstreams to identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
- ◆Process optimization to ensure safety, quality, and productivity.
- ◆Partner with industrial and manufacturing engineers to develop work standards, time studies, and ergonomic analyses to support manufacturing operations.
- ◆Monitor and report on process performance, utilizing data to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- ◆Conduct root cause analysis to identify and resolve AOT production issues, working closely with quality assurance and operations teams.
- ◆Provide technical support for new product development, ensuring manufacturability and scalability of designs.
- ◆Support the creation and maintenance of process documentation including process flows, and standard operating procedures.
- ◆Participate in cross-functional teams to support new product introduction and equipment validation.
- ◆Ability to obtain a US secret security clearance.
- ◆Travel: 25%.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior Automation/Manufacturing Engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior Automation/Manufacturing Engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior Automation/Manufacturing Engineering experience.
requirements
specification documents.
- ✓Ability to read electrical design schematics.
- ✓Experience in integrating automation systems with business and manufacturing systems.
- ✓Experience in project management.
- ✓Experience programming Fanuc robotics systems and simulations.
- ✓Experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs.
- ✓Experience programming Inductive Automation IGNITION.
- ✓Experience managing automation integrators.
- ✓Experience with automated spray solution.
- ✓Active US secret security clearance is preferred.
requirements
for access to classified information.
By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.
L3Harris Technologies
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.
L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.
Job Title: Lead, Automation Engineer
Job Location: Huntsville, AL or Camden, AR
Job Schedule: Varies
Job Description
The Advanced Operations Technology (AOT) organization is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support engineering and production operations, focusing on the automated equipment lifecycle for solid rocket motor manufacturing at Huntsville, AL or Camden, AR facility.
The selected candidate will work with the manufacturing and facility teams to develop, implement, and maintain automation solutions to improve manufacturing capability, effectiveness, and employee safety.
The AOT organization works with cross-functional teams to identify opportunities in the manufacturing process, draft technical
Preferred Additional Skills
- +Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related engineering is preferred.
- +Strong knowledge of automation systems design/sustainment involving robotic cells, custom automation solutions, vision systems, motion control or testing solutions.
- +Experience programming and sustaining control systems involving PLC, HMI’s, VFDs, etc.
- +Experience developing statements or work and functional