> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1593407-senior-manager-digital-manufacturing-systems-mes-ai-industry-4-0](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1593407-senior-manager-digital-manufacturing-systems-mes-ai-industry-4-0). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Manager, Digital Manufacturing Systems (MES, AI & Industry 4.0) - **Company:** QNity, Inc. - **Location:** Wilmington, DE, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Engineering, Continuous Integration, DevOps, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Laboratory Information Management Systems, Microsoft Visio, Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), OPC Unified Architecture, Mendix, SAP (Applications), Warehouse Management Systems, Microsoft Power Automate, Generative AI, Togaf, Information Technology, SAP S/4HANA, Apache Kafka, Machine Learning Operations, GXP, Legacy Systems, Microservices - **Published:** July 16, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.businessworkforce.com/job.asp?id=3322603303&tx=FL636FFI&pt=1&aff=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54&utm_source=Job%20Feed&utm_medium=textkernel&utm_campaign=DE&utm_term=0B19D771-A501-4A5E-8338-2A822B784D54 ## About the Role * 10+ years in manufacturing IT/OT with significant experience delivering MES in semiconductor, electronics, or comparably complex industries; as well as leading globally distributed teams and multi-vendor programs. * Track record deploying or modernizing MES at multiple sites - combining COTS implementations with custom or in-house engineering, including at least one greenfield and one legacy-modernization effort. * Hands-on experience with leading MES platforms (e.g., Critical Manufacturing, AVEVA, TrackSys, Rockwell FactoryTalk, GE Proficy, iBASEt, Tulip) and with custom-application (Microsoft Power Automate, Visio, microservices, event-driven, modern web/UX). * Tangible experience bringing AI/ML or GenAI into manufacturing operations beyond pilots; familiarity with MLOps, agentic workflows, RAG, and human-in-the-loop design. * ISA-95 / ISA-88 knowledge; SECS/GEM, OPC UA, APC/FDC, R2R, recipe management, dispatching/RTD, and genealogy/traceability; SAP integration patterns; modern cloud (Azure / AWS / GCP), containers, Kafka, MQTT Sparkplug B. * Proven Agile/SAFe leadership at scale; strong commercial acumen (RFx, contracts, vendor governance, build-vs-buy analysis); excellent executive communication. * Bachelor's in Computer Science or Engineering discipline required; Master's or MBA preferred. * Fluent English required. Preferred * Direct experience with semiconductor, advanced packaging, or specialty-materials flows; PMP / SAFe / TOGAF / ISA-95 / ISA/IEC 62443 certifications; AI/ML or cloud-AI certifications. * Operator copilots or agentic-AI assistants in production; digital-thread / digital-twin programs; low-code platforms (Tulip, Mendix); GxP / ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 / AS9100 environments; participation in SEMI, MESA, or OPC Foundation. ## Description Global leader responsible for MES, smart manufacturing, digital factory transformation, and AI-enabled manufacturing operations. Define and execute the enterprise MES strategy across our global manufacturing network. Own the vision, architecture, roadmap, and end-to-end delivery of modern MES capabilities in a deliberately hybrid landscape - where COTS, custom-built, and legacy systems each play a role chosen on the merits of the problem. Champion a fit-for-purpose philosophy: leverage COTS where it accelerates time-to-value, and invest in custom or in-house solutions where differentiated process know-how, speed of iteration, or unique manufacturing physics demand it. Enable manufacturing operations with AI by embedding intelligence into MES workflows, decisions, and the operator experience., Strategy & Architecture * Define and evolve the multi-year MES strategy and ISA-95-aligned reference architecture supporting Industry 4.0 and the digital-thread vision. * Establish a fit-for-purpose sourcing framework guiding COTS-vs-custom-vs-configure decisions case by case - weighing differentiation, TCO, change agility, supplier viability, and the value of internal IP. * Preserve and modernize strategic in-house assets that encode proprietary process expertise; pursue standardization where it pays (data models, integration contracts, identity, observability, security, DevOps) without forcing convergence onto a single MES product. * Architect for composable MES: stable cores plus best-fit specialized modules and custom extensions. Solution Delivery * Own end-to-end delivery (discovery ? hypercare ? run & maintain) using DevOps and product-team operating models, with distinct playbooks for COTS, custom builds, and legacy modernization (strangler-fig). * Manage scope, schedule, budget, risk, and benefits realization across concurrent global rollouts; establish engineering standards, DevOps/CI-CD, and OT-grade change control for both COTS configuration and custom code. AI Enablement of Manufacturing Operations * Define and execute the AI-for-Manufacturing roadmap integrated with MES - yield, throughput, quality, maintenance, scheduling, and energy. * Embed AI/ML and generative-AI directly into MES workflows: intelligent dispatching, anomaly detection, virtual metrology, run-to-run control, recipe optimization, and automated root-cause analysis. * Enable agentic and copilot experiences for operators, engineers, and supervisors; champion closed-loop AI with explainability and human-in-the-loop controls. * Establish responsible-AI practices for the shop floor (validation, drift monitoring, change control, traceability) and ensure MES is a first-class producer/consumer of the manufacturing data fabric. Integration, Data, Team & Stakeholders * Architect integrations across MES ? ERP (SAP S/4HANA), PLM, QMS, LIMS, WMS, SCADA/DCS/PLC, Historians (PI), APC/FDC, and EDA; drive SEMI standards adoption (SECS/GEM, GEM300, EDA, E10/E30/E40/E90/E94/E142). * Build and lead a globally distributed team (architects, engineers, BAs, product owners) and a multi-vendor ecosystem of MES vendors, SIs, AI/ML partners, and managed-service providers. * Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, IT/OT Security, and Data & AI; communicate strategy, progress, and value to executive leadership and lead change management for AI-assisted operations. * Ensure OT cybersecurity (IEC 62443, NIST CSF, Purdue), AI governance, BCDR, and 24×7 resilience for shop-floor-critical systems. ## Related Videos - [Blueprints for Success: Steering a Global Data & AI Architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1577-blueprints-for-success-steering-a-global-data-ai-architecture) - [From DevOps to Scaled DevOps: How We’re Rebuilding Continuous Delivery as a Platform](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100018-from-devops-to-scaled-devops-how-we-re-rebuilding-continuous-delivery-as-a-platform) - [Remote Driving on Plant Grounds with State-of-the-Art Cloud Technologies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/251-remote-driving-on-plant-grounds-with-state-of-the-art-cloud-technologies) - [Quantum DevOps - Enabling Industrial Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100282-quantum-devops-enabling-industrial-engineering) - [DevOps Maturity Check – a way to balance autonomy and alignment](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/58-devops-maturity-check-a-way-to-balance-autonomy-and-alignment) - [More efficient software for more efficient microchips](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1164-more-efficient-software-for-more-efficient-microchips) ## Related Articles - [Now is the time for industrialized software development](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/601-now-is-the-time-for-industrialized-software-development) - [Dev Digest 120 - Apple and peers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/455-dev-digest-120-apple-and-peers) - [The Fastest-Growing Tech Sectors to Look Out for in 2025](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/373-the-fastest-growing-tech-sectors-to-look-out-for-in-2025) - [The Biggest German Tech Companies](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/424-the-biggest-german-tech-companies) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence)