Technical Lead Controls Engineer

Technical Lead Controls Engineer

Walker, Michigan, United States

Position Overview: The Technical Lead Controls Engineer is the department's pinnacle technical role. This engineer designs and delivers complex automation cells (PLC/HMI/robot, motion, safety, electrical and pneumatic), establishes coding and hardware standards, and serves as the primary technical mentor for the Controls team. In addition to executing individual projects, the Technical Lead influences system-level architecture decisions, troubleshoots high-impact issues, and represents Controls Engineering in advanced customer and supplier discussions. This position reports directly to the Director of Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architects and programs advanced control systems that meet or exceed performance, safety, cycle time, and quality targets.
• Manages multiple projects concurrently, drives schedules, leads design reviews, and coordinates cross-functional debug/run-off until customer buy-off.
• Creates, publishes, and enforces departmental coding, HMI, and electrical standards; spearheads process improvements that raise efficiency and repeatability.
• Coaches Senior and mid-level engineers, delivers technical training sessions, and guides interns and co-ops on best practices.
• Presents simulations and designs, manages technical scope changes, and specifies key components with suppliers, maintaining professional, solution-focused relationships.
• Institutionalizes the principles via standards, training, and architecture; sets the bar for quality and reuse; makes high-leverage, frugal decisions.
• Willing to travel approximately 10% - 20%.
• Champion Our Operating Principles: You will be expected to actively embody and uphold our ten Operating Principles, which guide our every action and decision at Axis Automation. These principles are key to our culture and success.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, or related engineering field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years in controls/automation with proven mastery of PLC, HMI, robot (online & offline), motion, and vision programming.
• Technical Skills:
  • Highest-level competency in electrical and pneumatic schematics and safety-circuit design.
  • Designs the most advanced digital twins and simulations, accurately verifying crash conditions and validating cycle times against real-world performance.
  • In-depth knowledge of PLC ladder logic, structured text, system architecture, and program execution optimization.
  • High-level robotic programming proficiency across multiple robot manufacturers, including auxiliary and process-oriented axes.
  • Proven track record of validated safety code and hard-wired safety applications that meet or exceed current RIA/ANSI standards.
  • HMI design and programming expertise spanning multiple software environments.
  • Extensive experience with motion-control systems such as VFDs, servo systems, and auxiliary positioning robot axes.
• Leadership: Documented track record of leading project teams, controls engineering contractors, internal mentorship, and elevating departmental standards through continuous-improvement initiatives that elevate overall engineering quality.
• Communication: Communicates clearly with project teams, peers, cross-functional groups, customers, and suppliers; regarded as an all-around resource for anyone interacting with Axis Automation.
• Problem-Solving: Go-to expert for troubleshooting across wiring, controls theory, program execution, robotics, and general automation.
• Teamwork: Models collaborative behavior by proactively sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues during crunch periods, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and high performance.
• Reliability: Demonstrates reliability through thorough hand-offs, on-time project delivery, and adherence to the highest standard of "right-the-first-time" quality.

Estimated Total Compensation: $115,000-$140,000

Benefits: Axis offers a comprehensive benefits package to our employees with immediate eligibility upon hire.