Controls Engineer

This position offers an experienced Controls Engineer the opportunity to join a growing machine builder and contribute immediately to active projects in an industrial automation environment. You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs and Fanuc robotics, support current installations with minimal guidance, and eventually own projects from concept through commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and install machine controls and operator interfaces for automated equipment.
• Program, edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs on systems that are already through the design phase.
• Develop, modify, and optimize Fanuc robotics programs, including integration with PLC-controlled systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues on automated equipment, both in-house and at customer sites.
• Use AutoCAD Electrical to create, review, and update electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams to ensure seamless system integration and reliable machine performance.
• Support cradle-to-grave project work over time, including concept development, design, programming, testing, installation, and commissioning.
• Travel to customer sites approximately 40% of the time to perform installation, startup, troubleshooting, and customer support.
• Apply mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation, diagnose issues, and recommend improvements.
• Maintain documentation of programs, schematics, and changes to ensure accurate records and knowledge transfer.
• Adhere to safety standards and support production efficiency and reliability goals in all controls and automation work.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience working as a Controls Engineer in an industrial automation environment.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including editing and troubleshooting existing programs.
• Hands-on experience with Fanuc robotics programming and integration with automated equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for both hardware and software issues on automated systems.
• Ability to work independently and be self-sufficient, with minimal supervision on active projects.
• Proficiency in PLC programming, including developing logic from scratch.
• Experience using AutoCAD Electrical for designing and updating electrical schematics.
• Mechanical aptitude to understand machine operation and interact effectively with mechanical systems.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time, including overnight trips.
• Valid U.S. passport to support travel requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation, machine building, or supporting automated manufacturing systems.
• Background in system integration, including coordinating PLCs, robotics, and related control hardware.
• Familiarity with reading, creating, and maintaining detailed electrical and mechanical schematics.
• Interest in growing into higher-level leadership responsibilities within a machine-building organization.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in an industrial automation setting focused on machine building and supporting automated manufacturing systems. You will work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment that emphasizes troubleshooting, system integration, and meeting production efficiency and safety standards. The position involves approximately 40% travel, with ebbs and flows that may include periods of several months without travel and occasional stretches of up to two weeks of overnight travel at a time. While traveling, all expenses are covered, and a daily per diem and hourly travel premium apply. You will regularly work with technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, Fanuc robotics, and AutoCAD Electrical, and you will spend time both on the shop floor and at customer sites commissioning and supporting automated equipment.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Schedule

This is a Contract to Hire, fully onsite position based in Grand Rapids, MI.