Head of Engineering and Automation

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Head of Engineering and Automation

As Head of Engineering and Automation within Seed Production Innovation (SPI), you lead a global home team that advances the discovery and development of innovative, cost-effective seed production engineering solutions for row and vegetable crops; you guide and coach a globally distributed team of approximately 40 multidisciplinary engineers (FTEs and contractors) and serve as a strategic member of the SPI-Technology leadership team; in this capacity, you help shape and execute the SPI innovation strategy in support of Bayer’s global product supply organization and partner closely with Product Supply, R&D, and Commercial colleagues to deliver a high-quality, reliable, and sustainable seed pipeline through technical excellence and scientific innovation.

YOUR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of this role, Head of Engineering and Automation – Seed Production Innovation (SPI), are to;

• Lead a globally distributed, multidisciplinary engineering team focused on delivering high-quality design, development, and deployment of engineering solutions and products for Bayer Crop Science Product Supply;

• Serve as a core member of the SPI-Technology leadership team, collaborating with customers and key stakeholders to define and deliver the technology strategy that drives row crops and vegetable innovation across the global product supply network;

• Act as a strategic and collaborative partner for leaders within SPI, as well as across Product Supply, R&D, and Commercial, to develop and scale applicable technologies that solve the toughest global seed production challenges;

• Provide visionary home leadership to approximately 40 engineers from diverse disciplines (electrical, mechanical, software, chemical, and related), actively coaching, mentoring, and developing team members while shaping their long-term career trajectories within SPI-Technology;

• Guide employees as they identify, transition onto, and transition off cross-functional SPI work teams, ensuring they are appropriately deployed while balancing business priorities with employee well-being, inclusion, and development;

• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented, and psychologically safe culture that aligns with SPI’s mission of accelerating product supply outcomes through technical excellence, scientific innovation, and a high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective seed pipeline;

• Build and sustain a high-performing global team and talent pipeline by selecting, attracting, developing, and leading an inclusive, cross-cultural team that reflects the diverse communities Bayer serves;

• Successfully leverage Bayer’s Fellow and Manufacturing Technologists programs, as well as key partnerships across Product Supply, R&D, and Commercial, to achieve innovation and business objectives;

WHO YOU ARE

Bayer seeks an incumbent who possesses the following;

Required Qualifications;

• BS;

• Demonstrated experience operating as a visionary, architect, catalyst, and coach, setting a compelling direction while enabling empowered, high-performing teams;

• Proven track record of people leadership, coaching, and talent development, including building and leading diverse, multidisciplinary engineering teams in a complex, global environment;

• Strong understanding of business priorities and the ability to connect individual employee capabilities and engineering solutions to Bayer’s broader strategic goals, innovation portfolio, and value creation;

• Demonstrated success in developing and executing global strategic plans that advance seed production innovation and operational excellence across regions;

• In-depth knowledge of current seed and trait advancement processes for both row crops and vegetable crops, and the ability to translate these into practical, scalable engineering solutions for product supply;

• Exceptional interpersonal and influencing skills across cultures and geographies, with the ability to inspire, engage, and collaborate effectively in a highly matrixed, agile environment;

• Curious and externally focused mindset, staying on top of developments in the marketplace both inside and outside the agriculture industry, including global row crop and vegetable market trends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, or MS with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, or BS with a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, ideally in engineering or a closely related field within seed production, manufacturing, or technology-intensive environments.

Employees can expect to be paid a salary of approximately between $178,320.00- $267,480.00 .Additional compensation may include a bonus or commission (if relevant). Additional benefits include health care, vision, dental, retirement, PTO, sick leave, etc.. This salary (or salary range) is merely an estimate and may vary based on an applicant’s location, market data/ranges, an applicant’s skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications, and other relevant factors.

This role may offer domestic or international relocation

This posting will end on 10/28/26.

YOUR APPLICATION

Bayer offers a wide variety of competitive compensation and benefits programs. If you meet the requirements of this unique opportunity, and want to impact our mission Health for all, Hunger for none, we encourage you to apply now. Be part of something bigger. Be you. Be Bayer.

To all recruitment agencies: Bayer does not accept unsolicited third party resumes.

Bayer is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans

Bayer is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in its application process for individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants with disabilities to request any needed accommodation(s) using the contact information below.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Notice for U.S. Visitors: All information on this site is subject to compliance with local rule and regulations as they may vary from time to time and across different geographies, including, without limitation, U.S. Executive Orders.

Bayer is an E-Verify Employer.

Location: United States : Missouri : Creve Coeur

Division: Crop Science

Reference Code: 892615

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]