Automation Controls Engineer

Assembly Controls Engineer

Position Summary

The Assembly Controls Engineer provides hands-on technical support, programming, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement for automated manufacturing and assembly systems.

This position will support existing controls systems while also developing upgrades and improvements to increase equipment reliability, performance, and production efficiency. The role includes responding to production line issues as needed, but the primary focus will be controls improvement and project work.

The ideal candidate will have strong automotive manufacturing experience and hands-on knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs, FANUC and Nachi robotics, and Keyence and Cognex vision systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Support, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve automated manufacturing and assembly equipment.
• Program, troubleshoot, and modify Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Program and troubleshoot FANUC and Nachi robots, including robot inputs/outputs and equipment interfaces.
• Develop, install, troubleshoot, and improve Keyence and Cognex vision systems.
• Troubleshoot controls hardware, software, electrical systems, control voltage, and industrial communication protocols.
• Respond to production line stoppages and diagnose controls-related equipment failures.
• Identify and implement continuous-improvement projects within controls and automation systems.
• Develop and implement controls system upgrades and equipment modifications.
• Load, configure, and support software packages associated with manufacturing equipment.
• Work with electrical controls, sensors, I/O, communications, robotics, and automated equipment.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, equipment manuals, technical documentation, and engineering specifications.
• Apply mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot equipment and make adjustments to fixtures when necessary to achieve part quality.
• Create and maintain project, controls, and equipment documentation.
• Work with maintenance, engineering, production, and other plant teams to resolve equipment issues and improve manufacturing processes.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of controls experience within an automotive manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting FANUC and/or Nachi robotics.
• Experience with Keyence and/or Cognex vision systems.
• Strong understanding of robot I/O and interfacing robots with automated equipment.
• Experience troubleshooting control voltage and industrial communication protocols.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills and ability to read and interpret electrical schematics.
• Good understanding of controls software, hardware, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Mechanical aptitude, including the ability to make or support mechanical fixture adjustments to achieve part quality.
• Experience supporting automated assembly and/or manufacturing equipment.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive plastic injection molding and assembly operations.
• Experience implementing controls upgrades and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Experience supporting both production equipment troubleshooting and longer-term automation projects.

Core Competencies

• Controls & Automation Expertise
• Electrical Troubleshooting
• PLC & Robotics Programming
• Vision Systems
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Continuous Improvement
• Mechanical Aptitude
• Project Management
• Collaboration & Communication
• Results Orientation
• Flexibility & Adaptability
• Attention to Detail