Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Hokuto USA is seeking an Electrical/Controls Engineer to support automotive manufacturing equipment.

This position is responsible for a broad range of electrical and controls engineering activities, including electrical hardware design, PLC software design, in-house equipment tryout, on-site equipment startup and commissioning, and production support at customer facilities.

We are seeking a candidate with practical, hands-on experience who is capable of supporting projects across multiple stages of electrical and controls engineering work.

Key Responsibilities

1. Equipment and Control Systems

This position is primarily responsible for PLC controls and related automation systems used in automotive manufacturing equipment.

Typical equipment includes:

• Robotic welding and material handling (matehan) systems
• Welding fixtures and other automated manufacturing equipment
• Turntables, trunnion tables, and transfer systems

2. Hardware Design

• Review and interpret customer specifications for control panels, field boxes, VFDs, servo motors, sensors, actuators, safety devices, industrial networks, and related equipment
• Design and create electrical drawings, including electrical schematics, control panel drawings, field box drawings, I/O drawings, cable drawings, and related documentation
• Prepare related technical documents, such as wiring instructions
• Select electrical components and manage purchased components and materials

3. Software Design

• Review and interpret customer specifications, including equipment and controls specifications
• Design and develop I/O lists, PLC programs, and HMI screens

4. In-House Tryout and On-Site Commissioning

• Check, troubleshoot, and adjust PLCs, HMIs, communication systems, I/O, and safety functions
• Check individual operation of cylinders, motors, robots, and other equipment, as well as coordinated operation between systems
• Verify interlocks, fault handling, and automatic operation
• Support automatic equipment trials, production trials, and cycle-time adjustment
• Investigate equipment issues, make necessary program changes, and provide production support

5. Estimating and Budget Management

Prepare and manage estimates, engineering labor hours, component procurement, and related electrical and controls work.

6. Technical Coordination and Reporting

• Coordinate technical requirements and project schedules with customers and internal departments
• Provide progress updates during each stage of the work

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of practical experience in electrical hardware design, or equivalent hands-on capability
• 5+ years of practical experience in PLC debugging and manufacturing equipment startup and commissioning, or equivalent hands-on capability
• Hands-on experience with at least one of the following PLC platforms:
• • Omron
  • Mitsubishi
  • Toyopuc
  • Allen-Bradley / Rockwell
• Hands-on experience with DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP, CC-Link, or equivalent industrial networks
• Hands-on experience with VFD and servo motor control
• Ability to travel and work overtime, weekends, holidays, and night shifts as required
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
• Valid driver's license or ability to obtain one

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with equipment startup and commissioning for automotive welding systems, robot cells, material handling systems, or transfer systems
• Experience supervising electrical wiring or on-site installation work
• Experience providing work instructions to contractors or external electrical wiring companies
• Experience with PLC platforms other than those listed in the required qualifications

Work Location

Work may be performed at:

• Hokuto USA
• Customer sites in US, Canada and Mexico.

Work location may vary depending on project requirements.

Travel Requirements

• Travel frequency will vary depending on project requirements
• Weekend, holidays, night shift, and extended-hour work may be required during equipment startup, commissioning, and production support.

Hokuto USA, Inc., provides engineered services to automobile manufacturers worldwide with full turn-key innovative and integrated manufacturing equipment. We pride ourselves in having earned a high reputation for excellence in quality, price, and delivery from both domestic and overseas customers.
This is a first shift position with the hours from 7am to 4pm Mon-Fri. Overtime may be required on occasion.

Company Description

Hokuto USA, Inc., provides engineered services to automobile manufacturers worldwide with full turn-key innovative and integrated manufacturing equipment. We pride ourselves in having earned a high reputation for excellence in quality, price, and delivery from both domestic and overseas customers.\nThis is a first shift position with the hours from 7am to 4pm Mon-Fri. Overtime may be required on occasion.\n