Absolutely — I updated the JD so the PLC requirement is much clearer: candidates do not need all four platforms, but they should have strong hands-on experience with at least 2 of these 4: Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Beckhoff, and CODESYS. Your intake notes also make robot programming/logic, simulation tools such as Rockwell Emulate3D or FANUC simulation, and SolidWorks valuable differentiators.

Controls Engineer

Location: Detroit, MI
Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite - 5 Days per Week
Travel: Occasional

Position Summary

We are seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer with strong experience designing, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting industrial automation and control systems.

This individual will work closely with manufacturing and engineering teams and remain actively involved with equipment on the plant floor. The ideal candidate will have strong PLC programming experience across multiple controls platforms, along with HMI, industrial networking, and machine automation experience.

Candidates coming from automation integrators, machine builders, Tier 1/Tier 2 automotive suppliers, or smaller automation companies supporting large manufacturers are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Controls Engineering & Automation

• Design, program, test, troubleshoot, and commission PLC-based automation systems.

• Develop and modify PLC logic supporting automated manufacturing equipment and processes.

• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot HMI and SCADA applications.

• Integrate sensors, instrumentation, actuators, drives, and other field devices.

• Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and production launch activities.

• Develop and maintain electrical drawings, control narratives, I/O documentation, and technical records.

• Troubleshoot controls-related production issues and identify root causes to minimize downtime.

• Perform software and hardware updates and enhancements to existing automation systems.

• Maintain proper documentation and version control for control system changes.

PLC / Controls Requirements

Candidates should have strong hands-on programming experience with at least 2 of the following 4 PLC platforms:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation

• Siemens

• Beckhoff

• CODESYS

Experience with all four platforms is not required.

Additional controls experience should include:

• Ladder Logic

• Structured Text

• Function Block programming

• HMI development

• Industrial controls troubleshooting

• Motor controls, instrumentation, sensors, and actuators

• Industrial networking and communication protocols such as:

  • EtherNet/IP

  • PROFINET

  • Modbus

  • EtherCAT

The existing JD emphasized Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, and Beckhoff; CODESYS has now been added based on the intake requirements.

Strongly Preferred Experience

Experience in any of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Robotics and robot integration

• Ability to develop or modify control logic interfacing with robotic systems

• FANUC or other industrial robot platforms

• Robot simulation or offline programming

• Automation simulation software, including tools such as:

  • Rockwell Emulate3D

  • FANUC simulation tools

  • Other industrial automation or digital simulation platforms

• SolidWorks / CAD experience, particularly the ability to open drawings, review designs, and make basic modifications

• Experience working for an automation integrator, machine builder, or engineering company supporting automotive or industrial manufacturing customers

HMI / SCADA

• Experience developing, modifying, and troubleshooting HMI and SCADA applications.

• Experience with platforms such as:

  • FactoryTalk View

  • Wonderware

  • WinCC

  • Comparable industrial visualization platforms

Manufacturing Systems

• Experience integrating automation equipment with manufacturing systems and plant information systems.

• Experience supporting production-floor equipment and automation within a manufacturing environment.

• Experience with MES integration is highly desirable.

Safety & Compliance

• Design and maintain controls systems in accordance with applicable safety regulations and industry standards.

• Support machine safety functions including:

  • Emergency stop circuits

  • Safety interlocks

  • Machine guarding

• Participate in safety reviews, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor''''s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, or a related engineering discipline preferred.

• 5+ years of progressive controls/automation engineering experience within manufacturing, machine building, systems integration, or a related industrial environment.

• Demonstrated experience taking automation projects through design, programming, startup, commissioning, and production support.

• Strong hands-on troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with engineering, maintenance, production teams, vendors, and customers.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will be a hands-on controls engineer rather than someone who has primarily managed controls projects from a distance. They should be comfortable getting onto the manufacturing floor, opening PLC programs, diagnosing equipment problems, modifying logic, commissioning equipment, and working across different automation platforms.

Experience with 2+ of Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, and CODESYS is the primary technical requirement, while robotics, simulation software, and SolidWorks experience will be strong differentiators.

I also think this version will help you attract the smaller automation-shop / integrator type of engineer your managers described rather than only engineers coming directly from the Big Three. Their notes specifically indicated that Tier suppliers are fine and that smaller automation companies doing work for large automotive manufacturers may actually be an ideal background.