We’re proud to share that Steve Solack, controls engineering manager at Mission Design & Automation, was named a 2025 Engineering Leader Under 40 by Control Engineering Magazine. This honor aligns with what we know about Solack to be true: he is an intelligent, dedicated, and inspirational engineer – leading others on our team to exercise critical thinking and collaborate to create the best custom automation solutions for our customers.

What Makes Steve an Engineering Leader

At Mission, Solack is responsible for co-leading the controls engineering team, Mission’s largest department, alongside colleague Justin Darga. As a young and inspiring leader, Solack connects with his team by encouraging them, helping them recognize the value of their contributions, and instilling confidence that they can shape the future of automation.

“Leadership, for me, starts with leading by example. I try to listen closely to my team, understand their strengths, and empower them to take ownership of their work. Take the time to explain the ‘why,’ and leave flexibility on the ‘how.’ The goal is to make people feel trusted and engaged, and that the work they are doing matters,” Solack said.

Solack spreads his controls expertise outside Mission’s walls, representing the company at various industry events, including appearing on camera at the IMTS Creator’s Lounge to discuss how automation will continue transforming manufacturing.
In addition, Solack plays a large part in the success of Mission’s co-op programs in partnership with local universities, making the investment to develop and mentor new engineers with enthusiasm.