Automation & Quality Lead, Controls & AGV Systems

Align Prod; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 149,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Align Prod in Decatur, IL seeks an Automation and Quality Manager to lead the Automation Controls Engineer team, define design release standards, and own FAT from concept to customer deployment. The role blends hands-on automation with quality leadership to ensure first-time correctness and on-time delivery.

The position is on-site in Decatur with travel to St. Louis and customer sites as needed. Strong PLC, AutoCAD Electrical, and 3D CAD experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of controls or automation engineering experience.
• 2+ years in a leadership or management role.
• 5+ years setting and enforcing engineering quality or process standards across design and manufacturing.
• Expertise in PLC programming (structured text, ladder logic), AutoCAD Electrical, and system integration.
• Hands-on experience with design review, change control, functional testing, and factory acceptance testing.
• Experience with 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred), PDM, and ERP systems.
• Familiarity with Kollmorgen systems, CANbus, and Ethernet communications is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Automation Controls Engineers, ensuring project milestones are met and collaboration thrives.
• Lead hands-on ownership of programming, system logic creation for AGV fleets, and troubleshooting to ensure successful deployment.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation of control systems from concept through customer delivery - on time and within budget.
• Work directly with AGV partners to integrate advanced technologies.
• Interface with customers to expand their understanding of automation systems and prepare their teams for deployment.
• Define and enforce design release standards, review checklists, and release criteria within the stage-gate process.
• Review and challenge engineers' work on technical merit, scope, manufacturability, assembly, serviceability, and safety - and redirect when needed.
• Own root cause and corrective action on every field issue; trace warranty cost back to its source.
• Define build standards and inspection gates at fabrication, machining, paint, assembly, and final test.
• Own the last five percent: functional testing, labeling, correct hardware and torque, and presentation-grade finish.
• Build a machine-builder mentality across both sites, with engineers spending real time on the plant floor.
• Set full functional pretest standards for every machine - including controls, automation, and safety systems - before shipment.
• Define FAT procedures and documentation; lead customer acceptance tests alongside program management.
• Ensure what is tested in Decatur is what the customer sees on their floor.
• Champion design reuse, standard components, templates, and configurable platforms to reduce rework and accelerate delivery.
• Introduce design automation and checking tools that catch errors before release.
• Run post-project reviews on significant programs so lessons learned become standards.
• Trace design-related rework and change orders to root cause and close the loop with engineering teams.
• Working directly with Sales, Application and Estimating, as needed.
• Working directly with CPT (Core Products Team) on automation design support.

Skills

PLC programming

System integration

Design review

AutoCAD Electrical

3D CAD

ERP systems

CANbus & Ethernet

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

SolidWorks

PDM

ERP systems

Job description

Align Prod in Decatur, IL seeks an Automation and Quality Manager to lead the Automation Controls Engineer team, define design release standards, and own FAT from concept to customer deployment. The role blends hands-on automation with quality leadership to ensure first-time correctness and on-time delivery.

The position is on-site in Decatur with travel to St. Louis and customer sites as needed. Strong PLC, AutoCAD Electrical, and 3D CAD experience are essential for success.