Automation and Controls Engineering Manager

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading innovation company focused on creating smarter, safer and more beautiful homes and improving lives. Our driving purpose is that we elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens. We believe our work and our brands can have incredibly positive impacts for not just our business and shareholders, but for people and the planet, too. When you join Fortune Brands, you become part of a high-performing team who are empowered to think big, learn fast and make bold decisions. We support an inclusive and diverse culture where everyone is encouraged and empowered to be their authentic selves, and where our differences and unique perspectives are a key strength. Explore life at Fortune Brands here

As the Manager of Automation and Controls Engineering, you will play a critical role in driving the reliable operation, optimization, and innovation of Fiberon’s automated manufacturing and distribution systems at the three New London Fiberon facilities.  You will lead a team of skilled controls engineers and technicians, ensuring safe, efficient, and cutting-edge performance across conveyors, robotics, PLCs, drives, and facility-wide automated systems.

This position is ideal for a leader with strong technical expertise in controls and automation who is passionate about mentoring teams, driving continuous improvement, and implementing advanced technologies to enable a high-performing, world-class facility.

YOUR ROLE:

• Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of controls engineers and technicians, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
  • Establish clear goals, performance standards, and training pathways to build technical excellence within the team.

• Controls Engineering & Project Delivery
  • Oversee design, programming, and implementation of automation and controls systems, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, drives, and SCADA systems.
  • Lead controls-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring systems meet safety, quality, and performance requirements.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for automation during new equipment installations, retrofits, and system upgrades.

• Operations Support & Reliability
  • Partner with maintenance and operations teams to troubleshoot complex electrical and controls issues, driving root cause analysis and sustainable solutions.
  • Support preventative and predictive maintenance strategies to reduce downtime and increase equipment reliability.

• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
  • Identify and implement automation improvements to enhance safety, throughput, and cost savings.
  • Champion lean principles and CI methodologies (5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to streamline processes and improve operational performance.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies, recommending innovative solutions to strengthen Fiberon’s automation capabilities.

• Safety & Compliance
  • Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring all systems and processes comply with OSHA, NFPA 70E, and other regulatory standards.
  • Provide technical leadership to prevent accidents, address unsafe behaviors, and ensure electrical/controls work is executed to the highest standards.

• Education & Experience
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
  • 5+ years of experience in engineering, automation, controls, or maintenance operations, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or project management role.
• Technical Expertise
  • Hands-on experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell Automation platforms (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, RSLinx).
  • Proficiency in PLC and HMI programming, integration of robotics, variable frequency drives (PowerFlex series), motion control, and SCADA systems.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial networking, Ethernet/IP, and system integration.
• Leadership & Problem-Solving
  • Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage cross-functional projects, and engage stakeholders at all levels.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills in high-volume manufacturing or distribution environments.
• Continuous Improvement & Project Execution
  • Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, or other CI methodologies to improve system performance.
  • Proven track record in leading automation projects, including design, vendor management, commissioning, and handoff.
• Soft Skills
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate with operations, IT, maintenance, and corporate stakeholders.
  • Detail-oriented, safety-focused, and proactive in identifying risks and opportunities.

Fortune Brands believes in fair and equitable pay. A reasonable estimate of the base salary range for this role is Hiring Pay Range: $107,000 USD - $170,000 USD. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range, or be above or below the range, based on factors including, but not limited to, education, training, experience, professional achievement, business need, and location. In addition to base salary, employees will participate in either an annual bonus plan based on company and individual performance, or a role-based sales incentive plan.

At Fortune Brands, we support the overall health and wellness of our associates by offering comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates’ unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company contribution, product discounts, flexible time off benefits (including half-day summer Fridays per policy), inclusive fertility / adoption benefits, and more. We offer numerous Employee Resource Groups to support inclusivity and our associates’ feeling of belonging at work.

Fortune Brands is a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. Our portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, SpringWell, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe and Yale residential.

Fortune Brands is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and trades on the NYSE as FBIN

Equal Employment Opportunity:

FBIN is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic history or information, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Reasonable Accommodations:

FBIN is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information. Resumes submitted to this email address will not be responded to.

To protect yourself from fraudulent job postings or recruitment scams, please note that FBIN job postings are exclusively hosted on our careers page at https://www.fbin.com/careers/.