Controls Automation Engineering Lead

Engtal; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Engtal in the United States is seeking an Automation Engineering Lead to join our established automation and systems integration team. This hands-on role combines technical leadership with ongoing project work, guiding PLC/HMI projects and engineering deliverables while mentoring others.

A player-coach approach helps the team succeed with strong technical direction. Formal direct-report management is not required, but the role emphasizes coaching, delegation, and developing engineers through

Qualifications

• Strong PLC and HMI design, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with custom automation, systems integration, or engineer-to-order projects.
• Strong understanding of controls architecture and industrial automation.
• Knowledge of electrical documentation, industrial networks, and machine safety.
• Ability to review technical work and make sound controls decisions.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical work through influence.
• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Experience coaching, mentoring, delegating, or developing other engineers.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and coordination for automation projects.
• Review PLC/HMI designs, programming, and engineering deliverables.
• Support controls architecture, electrical documentation, industrial networks, and machine safety.
• Perform PLC/HMI programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and debugging.
• Coach and develop engineers through technical guidance and feedback.
• Help engineers take greater ownership of their work and decisions.
• Coordinate with Project Owners, engineering teams, assembly, commissioning, and customers.
• Identify project risks and provide practical recommendations for recovery.
• Support customer-facing technical communication when needed.
• Make timely technical decisions while appropriately escalating significant project risks.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial networks

Machine safety

Leadership by influence

Coaching/mentoring

Cross-functional coordination

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Automation Engineering Lead to join an established industrial automation and systems integration team.

This is a player-coach role for an experienced controls/automation engineer who wants to combine strong technical work with leadership. You will provide technical direction, review engineering work, support project execution, and help develop other engineers while remaining hands-on with automation projects.

Formal direct-report management experience is not required. We are looking for someone who has demonstrated leadership through technical guidance, coaching, delegation, and helping others succeed.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and coordination for automation projects
• Review PLC/HMI designs, programming, and engineering deliverables
• Support controls architecture, electrical documentation, industrial networks, and machine safety
• Perform PLC/HMI programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and debugging
• Support project readiness checks and identify technical risks before commissioning
• Coach and develop engineers through technical guidance and feedback
• Help engineers take greater ownership of their work and decisions
• Coordinate with Project Owners, engineering teams, assembly, commissioning, and customers
• Identify project risks and provide practical recommendations for recovery
• Support customer-facing technical communication when needed
• Make timely technical decisions while appropriately escalating significant project risks

What We're Looking For

• Strong PLC and HMI design, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with custom automation, systems integration, or engineer-to-order projects
• Strong understanding of controls architecture and industrial automation
• Knowledge of electrical documentation, industrial networks, and machine safety
• Ability to review technical work and make sound controls decisions
• Demonstrated experience leading technical work through influence
• Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills
• Experience coaching, mentoring, delegating, or developing other engineers
• Comfortable working hands-on while providing technical leadership

Why This Opportunity?

This is an opportunity to step into a technical leadership role without immediately moving away from engineering. You will have the ability to influence project execution, develop other engineers, and help improve how automation projects are delivered from engineering through assembly, commissioning, and field execution.