929 - Automation Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Controls Engineer

Our client is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to support, develop, and improve the automation and control systems within our automotive manufacturing operations. This position will be responsible for PLC programming, robotic systems, electrical controls, troubleshooting, equipment launches, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment.

The ideal candidate has experience working in a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment and is comfortable troubleshooting equipment directly on the plant floor. Experience with injection molding, automated assembly, robotics, vision systems, and auxiliary equipment is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, modify, and maintain PLC-based control systems for manufacturing equipment.
• Support Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation PLCs, HMIs, drives, networks, and related control hardware.
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, automation, and communication issues on production equipment.
• Program and troubleshoot industrial robotic systems used for material handling, assembly, inspection, and other automated processes.
• Support injection molding machines and associated automation, including robots, conveyors, fixtures, sensors, auxiliary equipment, and secondary assembly systems.
• Develop and modify PLC logic, HMI screens, control sequences, alarms, and machine interfaces.
• Troubleshoot servo systems, VFDs, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and machine control panels.
• Support new equipment installation, commissioning, debugging, and production launch activities.
• Work with equipment suppliers and integrators during machine design, build, runoff, installation, and acceptance.
• Review electrical schematics, control panel designs, and equipment control standards.
• Support integration of new equipment into existing plant infrastructure and manufacturing processes.
• Assist Engineering and Maintenance with root-cause analysis of equipment downtime and recurring controls-related failures.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment uptime, cycle time, reliability, quality, and operator safety.
• Maintain backups and documentation for PLC programs, HMI applications, robot programs, and other control systems.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance activities related to automation and controls.
• Provide technical support and training to maintenance technicians and production personnel.
• Ensure equipment modifications comply with company safety requirements and applicable electrical and machine-safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field preferred. Equivalent hands-on controls experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience preferred.
• Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting .
• Experience with Rockwell Automation software such as Studio 5000/RSLogix and FactoryTalk preferred.
• Experience programming or troubleshooting industrial robots such as FANUC, ABB, Yaskawa/Motoman, or similar systems .
• Working knowledge of HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and machine controls.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical schematics and control-panel drawings.
• Experience with Ethernet/IP and other industrial communication networks preferred.
• Automotive Tier 1 manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Injection molding and automated assembly experience is a plus.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting and root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, suppliers, and equipment integrators.

Ideal Candidate

The successful Controls Engineer will be someone who enjoys being on the manufacturing floor and solving equipment problems. This individual should be equally comfortable working on a laptop modifying PLC logic, reviewing an electrical schematic, troubleshooting a machine at the control panel, and working with an equipment integrator to launch a new automated manufacturing process.

This position requires a strong sense of urgency, technical curiosity, and a commitment to improving equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.

#hc265424