This study served to examine the perceptions of the leaders of California manufacturing companies and their objectives toward integrating automation and the impact automation has on the workplace. Using a qualitative phenomenology research design, the researcher was able to emphasize an in-depth understanding of social and human behavior. The researcher collected detailed descriptions from the survey questionnaires. Each participant was given the opportunity to complete an online survey through Survey Monkey. The results of the study showed automation had a positive effect on the return of investment (ROI) at the participants' California manufacturing companies. There are two recommendations for further studies: the first focusing on the types of automation being integrated in the workplace, and the second on understanding workforce perception of automation and how automation affects the workplace.