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MSA Safety

Global producer of industrial safety equipment

Global Smart Manufacturing Manager

Engineering LeadershipConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Full-timeCranberry Township, PA, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • Experience and strong knowledge of digital manufacturing applications (MES), Industrial IoT, automation and control systems, SCADA and PLC environments, data analytics and visualization tools, ERP integration (SAP), and robotics and cobots.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully manage and implement Industry 4.0 projects with positive financial impact from the solution.
  • Ability to drive and ensure regular process documentation is developed and maintained.
  • Experience in a multinational manufacturing environment.
  • Experience in manufacturing equipment procurement, setup, and commissioning, including a clear understanding of equipment/software qualification and validation processes.
  • Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams in the development and optimization of new technologies.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of organizational change management.
  • KPI ownership experience.
  • Vendor management experience.
  • A B.S. in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
  • For the Level II Engineering Manager level, 10 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 2 years of direct staff management experience.
  • For the Senior Engineering Manager level, 12 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 2 years of direct staff management experience.
  • An M.S. degree may substitute for up to 2 years of relevant experience; a Ph.D. may substitute for up to 4 years.

Responsibilities

  • Define and execute MSA's global Factory of the Future technology vision.
  • Develop and prioritize Industry 4.0 initiatives aligned with business objectives and operational strategies.
  • Identify emerging technologies and assess their potential to create business value across the manufacturing network.
  • Partner with executive leadership to establish digital manufacturing priorities, investment strategies, and long-term transformation plans.
  • Drive enterprise-wide adoption of innovative manufacturing technologies that improve competitiveness and operational agility.
  • Partner with plant leadership to identify, prioritize, and implement high-value digital manufacturing opportunities.
  • Communicate strategy, progress, risks, and business outcomes to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
  • Develop multi-year capital investment plans supporting Factory of the Future technologies.
  • Lead the evaluation, development, and deployment of scalable advanced manufacturing technologies, including MES, IIoT, AI/ML, digital twins, automation, analytics platforms, ERP-integrated solutions, robotics, cobots, and AMRs/AGVs.
  • Develop tools, templates, and frameworks to evaluate new technologies and factory readiness for scalable technology; establish engineering standards and deployment best practices.
  • Oversee implementation of scalable digital manufacturing solutions across global manufacturing facilities.
  • Partner with data scientists, AI engineers, and business leaders to identify high-value applications, including predictive maintenance, process optimization, vision inspection, and digital process control.
  • Ensure seamless integration of shop-floor equipment, automation systems, manufacturing data, and enterprise platforms.
  • Drive standardization of system architectures, connectivity models, and technology platforms to support a connected manufacturing ecosystem.
  • Support equipment procurement, commissioning, qualification, validation, and technology readiness activities.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external technology partners to develop and deploy innovative manufacturing solutions.
  • Lead cross-functional teams through technology assessments, pilot programs, and global rollouts.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global team of smart manufacturing, automation, analytics, and digital technology experts.
  • Build organizational capabilities in digital manufacturing, AI, data analytics, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, knowledge sharing, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
  • Support workforce adoption of new technologies through training, change management, and leadership engagement.
  • Drive succession planning and capability development to meet future manufacturing technology needs.
  • Establish and maintain global standards, governance frameworks, and best practices for smart manufacturing technologies and digital systems.
  • Ensure consistent deployment methodologies, performance metrics, and technology management processes across manufacturing locations; establish and govern global manufacturing technology standards, MES templates, automation architectures, and digital deployment methodologies.
  • Lead efforts to improve manufacturing productivity, quality, asset utilization, reliability, and cost performance through data-driven decision making.
  • Promote disciplined process documentation, system lifecycle management, and continuous improvement practices.
  • Develop business cases, capital investment proposals, and ROI models to prioritize and justify digital manufacturing initiatives.
  • Monitor and measure the financial and operational impact of smart manufacturing initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience and knowledge of machine learning, industrial connectivity architectures, AI in manufacturing, digital twins, advanced vision systems, and AMRs/AGVs.
  • Experience deploying AI/ML solutions in production environments and understanding cloud manufacturing platforms, including Azure, AWS, and Snowflake.
  • Experience developing a multi-year digital manufacturing roadmap, including capital investment planning, ROI modeling, and prioritization.
  • Experience creating governance models of global manufacturing systems, including data architecture, data quality management, master data governance, historian strategies, and data ownership models.
  • Experience working with data scientists and AI engineers to develop manufacturing solutions and prioritize AI use cases, including predictive maintenance, process optimization, computer vision quality inspection, and digital process control.
  • Experience connecting shop-floor machines to enterprise systems.
  • Experience developing digital skills within manufacturing organizations, influencing plant leadership, and driving workforce adoption with stakeholder engagement.
  • Ability to apply advanced engineering principles and process control strategies to improve operating efficiency of new and existing automation systems.
  • Understanding of common manufacturing/operations technology cybersecurity requirements, including industrial network security, ISA/IEC 62443, and operations technology cybersecurity risk assessments.
  • Proven ability to drive technology at scale across 20 or more facilities, including developing standard automation platforms, global equipment catalogs, MES templates, and KPI governance.
  • An MBA, an operations certification such as lean systems, continuing education in management studies, or PMP certification.

About the Company

MSA Safety

Global producer of industrial safety equipment

MSA Safety Inc. is a global provider of safety products that protect people and facility infrastructures. It develops, manufactures, and sells items such as gas detection systems, head protection gear, and fall protection devices, serving industrial, military, and construction customers. How its products work: gas detectors monitor air for hazardous gases and trigger alarms; helmets and protective headgear shield the skull; fall-protection gear like harnesses and anchors prevents falls during work at heights. The company differentiates itself through a long history (founded 1914), a wide product range, and a global, trusted reputation that combines equipment with related services and contracts. Its goal is to keep workers safe and protect facilities by providing reliable safety solutions and meeting stringent safety standards.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Founded
1914

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