Michael Smeraldo is an Executive Recruiter specializing in Industrial Automation and Machine Vision. He focuses on filling sales, engineering, operations, and C-suite roles for manufacturers and integrators. As a member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and the Illinois Search and Staffing Association (ISSA), he brings strong pattern recognition and a commercial mindset to every search.

What sets Michael apart is execution. He operates with high urgency and doesn’t disappear once the work starts. Instead, he stays engaged and pushes when things slow down to close the gap between intent and completion. Automation leaders don’t get noise. They get clarity, pressure in the right places, and results.

A recent search defines his approach. He represented a Field Technician who had been out of the workforce since 2016. On paper, most recruiters would have disqualified him immediately. Michael pressure-tested the gap. He found over 20 years of hands-on experience troubleshooting legacy electrical and HVAC/R equipment. He presented the candidate based on ability rather than optics. The client saw a disciplined technician and made the hire.

Michael tells candidates the truth. He doesn’t oversell roles or waste time. He advises professionals to chase leverage rather than just titles or money. He believes shortcuts show up later and discipline compounds. His goal is to put people in the right role and see it through to the end.