Lead Automation & Controls Engineer (Automotive)

Magna International; Concord; On-site; CAD 133,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna Exteriors is seeking an Automation/Controls Supervisor to lead the design, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of automated systems in a high‑volume automotive parts plant. You will supervise a skilled team and partner with production, quality and maintenance to maximize uptime, quality and safety.

You will oversee programming of PLCs (Omron/Allen-Bradley/Siemens), HMIs, SCADA, and robotics, while driving root-cause analyses and standardized processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and extensive hands-on experience).
• 5+ years of progressive experience in industrial automation and controls, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role, preferably in automotive manufacturing or high-volume assembly.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, train, mentor, and schedule a team of automation technicians, controls engineers, and related specialists.
• Oversee the design, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of PLC (Omron, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.), HMI, SCADA, robotics (ABB, KUKA, Fanuc preferred), vision systems, and motion control systems.
• Lead root-cause analysis and permanent corrective actions for automation-related downtime, quality issues, and process deviations.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, OEE improvement, and Industry 4.0 initiatives (data collection, predictive maintenance, IIoT).
• Develop and maintain documentation including control narratives, electrical schematics, PLC programs, robot programs, and standard work for automation systems.
• Ensure all automation and controls work complies with plant safety standards, Ontario electrical code (CSA), automotive quality requirements (IATF 16949), QMS (IATF16949), Health and Safety (ISO 45001), EMS (ISO14001), and security (PIP) requirements and customer specifications.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers, integrators, and internal stakeholders during new equipment installations, upgrades, and major overhauls.
• Manage spare parts inventory for critical automation components and develop preventive/predictive maintenance strategies for controls and robotic systems.
• Support production during launches, model changes, and volume ramps by ensuring automation readiness and rapid issue resolution.
• Track and report key performance indicators (uptime, mean time to repair, first-time quality related to automation, project timelines, and team development metrics).
• Enforce lockout/tagout, arc flash, and machine guarding practices; participate in safety audits and incident investigations involving automated equipment.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Robot programming

Industrial networking

Servo systems

VFDs

Sensors

Safety PLCs

Vision systems

Lean manufacturing

TPM

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Magna Exteriors is seeking an Automation/Controls Supervisor to lead the design, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of automated systems in a high‑volume automotive parts plant. You will supervise a skilled team and partner with production, quality and maintenance to maximize uptime, quality and safety.

You will oversee programming of PLCs (Omron/Allen-Bradley/Siemens), HMIs, SCADA, and robotics, while driving root-cause analyses and standardized processes.