Controls Engineer

Webasto Americas; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Webasto Americas in Auburn Hills, MI is seeking a regional Controls and Automation expert to support new equipment development, commissioning, startups, and production handover across multiple manufacturing sites.

You will program and troubleshoot Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs, align regional standards with global guidelines, and collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, IT, and suppliers to drive scalable automation solutions. Travel as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with 5+ years in controls/automation in automated manufacturing (auto experience preferred).
• Hands-on programming and troubleshooting Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLCs; HMI development with FactoryTalk or WinCC.
• Experience with industrial networking, robotics, vision systems, safety, and machine integration; familiarity with FANUC/ABB robotics and Cognex/Keyence vision systems preferred.
• Experience with EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, remote I/O, MES, traceability, and SQL databases.
• Ability to commission and launch equipment with builders, guide cross-functional teams, and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Serve as regional Controls and Automation SME supporting new equipment development, commissioning, startups, production handover, and escalations.
• Develop and enforce regional controls standards aligned with global guidelines for PLCs, HMIs, automation, traceability, MES, and cybersecurity.
• Design and troubleshoot networks and interfaces; integrate PLCs with robotics, vision, and motion systems; support industrial IT systems.
• Provide technical guidance to equipment suppliers; participate in reviews and trials; liaison between suppliers, Manufacturing Engineering, IT, and maintenance.
• Maintain controls documentation, electrical drawings, and site schematics; build plant capabilities through training and knowledge transfer; travel as required.

Skills

Controls engineering

Automation engineering

Manufacturing engineering

System integration

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

WinCC

Studio 5000

RSLogix 5000

FactoryTalk

Job description

Make individual mobility more enjoyable and sustainable by advancing technology and people - As one of the top 100 automotive suppliers worldwide, Webasto actively shapes the transformation of the industry through expertise and forward-thinking solutions. Our goal is to make mobility a full sensory experience, working toward more comfort, wind in your hair, the perfect temperature in any season, and driving with a clear conscience - for a safe and sustainable future. We bring joy to mobility - are you in?

You can look forward to these exciting tasks

• Serve as a regional Controls and Automation subject matter expert supporting new equipment development, technical implementation, commissioning, startups, production handover, and complex technical escalations across multiple manufacturing locations
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve regional controls standards while ensuring alignment with Webasto global standards for PLCs, HMIs, automation systems, traceability, MES interfaces, machine safety, industrial networking, and controls cybersecurity
• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and optimize Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMI systems using platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal and WinCC, Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000, and FactoryTalk
• Integrate PLCs with industrial robots, vision systems, servo and motion systems, scanners, printers, safety devices, and other automated manufacturing technologies; support FANUC and ABB robotic systems and Cognex and Keyence vision systems
• Design and troubleshoot industrial networks and production system interfaces, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, managed switches, remote I/O, machine-to-machine communication, MES, traceability and Line Control Systems, and associated SQL-based applications
• Provide technical guidance to equipment suppliers throughout equipment design, build, testing, installation, and launch; participate in technical reviews and production trials while serving as the technical liaison between suppliers, Manufacturing Engineering, plant Controls teams, IT, Maintenance, and other cross-functional teams
• Maintain controls documentation, electrical drawings, network layouts, software backups, and revision histories while building plant capabilities through technical documentation, coaching, training, and knowledge transfer; travel domestically and internationally to support manufacturing locations and project launches as business needs require

This is what you bring to us

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field, with 5+ years of controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience in an automated manufacturing environment; automotive experience strongly preferred
• Strong hands-on experience programming, configuring, and troubleshooting both Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, including Siemens TIA Portal and Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000, along with HMI development using platforms such as FactoryTalk and Siemens WinCC
• Strong industrial automation and system integration experience involving PLCs, HMIs, robotics, vision systems, servo and motion systems, and machine safety; experience with FANUC or ABB robotics and Cognex or Keyence vision systems preferred
• Experience with industrial networking and connected manufacturing systems, including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, managed switches, remote I/O, MES, traceability or Line Control Systems, and working knowledge of SQL databases and queries
• Experience commissioning and launching automated manufacturing equipment with machine builders and suppliers, including the ability to interpret and maintain electrical and controls documentation, troubleshoot complex technical issues, coach plant technical teams, collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, IT, and Maintenance, and travel domestically and internationally based on project requirements

Applications from qualified individuals with disabilities are expressly welcome.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Webasto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other legally protected status.