AUTOMATION AND AI SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR

AUTOMATION AND AI SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

At a Glance

• Salary range: $100,000 – $120,000
• Full-time, onsite, Albany, NY
• Help Capital Region manufacturers adopt automation, robotics, and AI
• Work on plant floors with owners, plant managers, and engineers to solve real production problems
• Deliver automation and technology assessments, ROI analyses, roadmaps, and workshops
• Join the national Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network
• Make a measurable impact on productivity, competitiveness, and growth

If you have designed, integrated, or improved automated production systems and want to help many manufacturers instead of one, we encourage you to apply.

Position Summary

The Center for Economic Growth seeks an Automation and AI Solutions Director to help small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) evaluate, adopt, and implement automation and advanced manufacturing technologies. This is a hands-on technical advisor role. You will walk production lines, find where automation, robotics, sensors, data, and AI can pay off, and guide companies from first assessment through implementation.

Most of our clients have no automation engineer on staff. They need someone who has done the work: specified equipment, worked with integrators, commissioned a cell, or connected machines to data systems. AI matters too, but it works best on top of sound automation and good production data.

The ideal candidate combines plant-floor manufacturing experience with automation know-how and the ability to explain both in plain business terms.

Backgrounds We Encourage to Apply

• Controls or automation engineer
• Manufacturing or process engineer
• Applications or project engineer at a system integrator or equipment builder
• Robotics or cobot integration engineer
• MES, IIoT, or machine-monitoring implementation specialist
• Continuous improvement or operations leader who has led automation projects

Key Responsibilities

Automation and Smart Manufacturing

• Assess production processes on the plant floor to find automation opportunities and estimate ROI.
• Support implementation planning for robotics, cobots, machine integration, sensors, and IIoT solutions.
• Help clients write requirements, evaluate quotes, and select equipment and system integrators.
• Advise on machine monitoring, MES, ERP integration, and connecting shop-floor data to business systems.
• Collaborate with technology providers, system integrators, and manufacturing partners.

Assessments and Client Engagement

• Conduct automation, technology readiness, and digital transformation assessments.
• Identify opportunities in automation, robotics, AI, machine monitoring, predictive maintenance, data analytics, and digital workflows.
• Facilitate discussions with owners and plant leaders on operational challenges, workforce needs, and strategic goals.
• Develop technology roadmaps and implementation recommendations.

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies

• Advise manufacturers on practical AI uses, including quality inspection, production scheduling, predictive maintenance, demand forecasting, knowledge management, and generative AI.
• Help clients understand benefits, risks, cybersecurity considerations, and implementation requirements.
• Stay current on smart manufacturing, digital twins, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, AI, and quantum technologies.

Project Management

• Manage multiple client projects at once.
• Develop project scopes, work plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Track outcomes and document client success stories.
• Ensure projects align with organizational objectives and funding requirements.

Education and Outreach

• Deliver workshops, presentations, and training on automation, AI, and smart manufacturing.
• Develop educational content for manufacturers.
• Build relationships with manufacturers, schools, technology providers, integrators, and economic development organizations.
• Represent CEG at conferences, trade shows, and industry events.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Manufacturing, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, automation, engineering, or technology implementation.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation in a manufacturing setting, such as PLCs and controls, robotics or cobot integration, machine monitoring, or MES.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and production systems.
• Experience leading projects and working directly with clients or internal customers.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience applying AI, machine learning, data analytics, or digital transformation in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 technologies: IIoT, robotics, automation systems, MES, digital twins, and cloud-based manufacturing tools.
• Experience working with or at a system integrator or equipment builder.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity for manufacturing and operational technology (OT) environments.
• Experience conducting assessments or consulting engagements.
• Certification in Lean, Six Sigma, Project Management, AI, Data Analytics, Automation, or Smart Manufacturing.

Desired Attributes

The successful candidate will:

• Be as comfortable on a plant floor as in a conference room.
• Be curious about emerging technologies and practical about where they pay off.
• Translate technical concepts into business value for owners and plant managers.
• Give honest advice, including when automation or AI is not the right answer yet.
• Build trusted relationships with manufacturing leaders.
• Care about keeping the Capital Region's manufacturers competitive.

How to Apply

Submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@capitalregionchamber.com. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter, describe one automation or technology project you worked on in a manufacturing setting: the problem, what you did, and the result. Only candidates being considered will be contacted.

About the Center for Economic Growth

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is dedicated to driving economic growth in the Capital Region. As a nonprofit regional economic development organization, we attract investment and talent, grow manufacturing and workforce capabilities, leverage industry clusters, and develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We serve as a catalyst and work with partners and stakeholders to prepare the region to compete and move high-impact strategies and projects forward. An affiliate of the Capital Region Chamber, CEG is supported by investors in business, government, education, and the nonprofit sectors who are committed to sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ceg.org.

The Capital Region Chamber/CEG is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe our organization thrives when every individual feels respected, valued, and empowered to contribute fully. As an advocate for regional businesses, the Chamber/CEG, through its leadership, actions, educational efforts, and community partnerships, is dedicated to fostering a workplace and regional economy where fairness, access, and opportunity are extended to all.