Manager, Engineering

LOCATIONS: Plano

Do you have a passion for leading breakthrough and disruptive automation projects for the most iconic brands in the restaurant industry? 

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Automation, this fast-paced and hands-on role will be responsible for leading strategic automation efforts and managing key operational aspects of our industry-leading Automation Labs. 

You will work directly with internal and external stakeholders, leveraging an ecosystem of suppliers, startups, partners, and equipment manufacturers.  This role has the opportunity to impact 60,000+ restaurants around the world, and is based full-time and on-site at Yum’s Automation Labs in Plano, Texas.

Salary Range: $­­122,100 to $143,600 annually + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate’s location, experience, and other job-related factors.

Responsibilities: 

  • Manage a team of employees, contractors, and 3rd parties to enable developments of multiple restaurant automation projects in parallel.
  • Coordinate all Lab (in-house) efforts & project-manage design, prototyping, manufacturing, and field support activities! 
  • Oversee daily Lab operations including reconfiguration and maintenance of equipment, execution of prototyping/manufacturing/testing activities, and 5s/lean process implementations.
  • Develop specifications/requirements, standards, and processes to deliver automation projects and drive lab operations. 
  • Collaborate with brand and restaurant teams to lead the implementation and execution of field trials and enable commercialization of solutions developed. 

Minimum Requirements:

  • MS or BS in Mechanical/Robotics/Electrical/Automation Engineering or equivalent
  • 10+ years’ experience in automation or machine building, engineering design, product development or commercialization along with hands on prototyping and manufacturing experience 
  • 5+ years’ experience in technical project management and cross-functional team leadership from design through implementation phases.
  • Thrives in a fast paced, team centric, collaborative environment while executing against multiple priorities simultaneously with heavy attention to detail and organization!
  • CAD and 3D Modeling experience (SolidWorks Preferred)

Preferred Requirements

  • Experience in the foodservice industry, preferably in food equipment design/mfg/commercialization
  • Has proven results driving a team to goals, maintaining accountability, and improving efficiency
  • Experience in promoting Lean Manufacturing culture (Kaizen, 5s, Six Sigma)
  • Job-shop or Manufacturing Operations experience 
  • Self-starter and self-motivated to deliver results while challenging the status quo

Benefits: Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan). Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan. Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, a floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year. To learn more about working at Yum! -Click here. 

At Yum!, one of our core values is to Believe in ALL People. This means seeing the value in everyone and unlocking their full potential to be their best self. YUM! Brands, Inc. (including its subsidiaries Yum Restaurant Services Group, LLC (“YRSG”) and Yum Connect, LLC (“Yum Digital and Technology”)(collectively, “Yum”) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Yum! is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.

US Job Seekers/Employees - Click here to view the “Know Your Rights” poster and supplement and the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.

This posting will be open for a minimum of two weeks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected.

Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos -- KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill -- on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official career pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.


Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 59,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the company’s concepts – KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill. The Company's KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the chicken, Mexican-style food, and pizza categories, respectively. Habit Burger & Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more. In 2024, Yum! was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America, and the company was recognized among TIME Magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders, Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies and USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders. Yum! also received widespread recognition in 2023, including being listed on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; and Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. In addition, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands were ranked in the top five of Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises Ranking for 2023.

Get Notified of Open Positions!

Sign up to receive emails when Yum! posts open positions you might be interested in:

First Name

Last Name

Email

Tel # (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Current Company (Optional)

Current Job Title (Optional)

{{alert.msg}}

Benefits at Yum!

Most of the employee programs and benefits are applicable in the U.S. Internationally, benefits are tailored by market and role. Check with your hiring team to see which ones apply to your job in your market.

Building the world’s most loved, most trusted and fastest-growing restaurant brands