Controls Engineer

Adecco Permanent Recruitment; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 72,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Adecco Permanent Recruitment in Michigan is seeking a Controls Engineer to design, implement, and improve manufacturing and automation systems. You will own technical aspects and collaborate across functions to drive performance, reliability, and innovation in production environments.

You will analyze machine performance, manage automation projects from concept to commissioning, and mentor Maintenance Technicians while partnering with suppliers to select best control solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Programming, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience as a Controls Engineer or Maintenance Technician in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 2-4 years of hands-on PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC 500, ControlLogix 5000).
• 2-4 years of experience programming vision systems (e.g., Cognex, DVT, Keyence).
• 2-4 years of experience developing and maintaining HMI applications (Allen-Bradley PanelView / PanelView Plus).
• At least 2 years of experience in JIT, SPD, ILVS, or batch manufacturing environments.
• Experience with both manual and automated assembly systems, including mechanical and control system integration.

Responsibilities

• Analyze machine performance and operational requirements using PLC-based control systems.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute automation and controls projects from concept through commissioning.
• Develop, manage, and forecast capital investment budgets related to controls and automation.
• Interface with automation, robotics, and capital equipment suppliers to select and implement control solutions.
• Provide controls guidance for new equipment selection, system upgrades, and long-term scalability.
• Integrate and network PCs and PLCs using TCP/IP and Ethernet/IP.
• Provide timely controls support to troubleshoot issues and minimize downtime.
• Lead lean manufacturing initiatives (5S, OEE, Kanban, Visual Factory, TPM) to improve operations.
• Identify and implement automation and process improvements to boost safety, quality, and throughput.
• Collaborate on communications, design reviews, capacity analyses, and feasibility studies.
• Partner with Purchasing to evaluate suppliers and automation solutions to maintain competitiveness.
• Benchmark industry practices and help update internal standards.
• Mentor Maintenance Technicians and build team capability.

Skills

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley MicroLogix

SLC 500

ControlLogix 5000

Vision systems

HMI development

PanelView/PanelView Plus

JIT manufacturing

SPD

ILVS

Batch manufacturing

Mechanical integration

AutoCAD

RSLogix 5000

RSLogix 500

FactoryTalk View

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

PanelView

PanelView Plus

FactoryTalk View

AutoCAD

Job description

As a Controls Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing, implementing, and continuously improving advanced manufacturing and automation systems. You’ll work at the intersection of controls engineering, automation, and operational excellence-driving performance, reliability, and innovation across production environments. This role offers hands-on technical ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and the opportunity to influence both current operations and future expansion.

What You’ll Do

• Analyze machine performance and operational requirements using PLC-based control systems to ensure optimal functionality and efficiency.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute assigned automation and controls projects from concept through commissioning, tracking progress and results.
• Develop, manage, and forecast capital investment budgets related to controls and automation initiatives.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with automation, robotics, and capital equipment suppliers to select and implement control solutions.
• Provide controls engineering guidance for new equipment selection, system upgrades, and long-term scalability.
• Integrate and network PCs and PLCs using industrial communication protocols (TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP).
• Provide timely controls support to troubleshoot issues and minimize production downtime.
• Lead and promote lean manufacturing principles, including 5S, OEE, Kanban, Visual Factory, and TPM, to drive operational excellence.
• Identify and implement automation and process improvements to increase safety, quality, throughput, and efficiency.
• Collaborate internally and externally on controls-related communications, including technical presentations, design reviews, capacity analysis, and feasibility studies.
• Partner with Purchasing to evaluate new suppliers, technologies, and automation solutions to maintain a competitive advantage.
• Benchmark industry best practices in automation and controls and help incorporate them into internal standards.
• Mentor and support Maintenance Technicians, helping to build technical skillsets and strengthen overall team capability.
• Support an inclusive workplace by participating in reasonable accommodations as needed to enable essential job functions.

What You’ll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Programming, or a related technical field.
• At least 2 years of experience as a Controls Engineer or Maintenance Technician in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 2-4 years of hands-on PLC programming experience, including:
• Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, SLC 500, and ControlLogix (5000 series)
• Manual assembly cells, automated assembly systems, and Power & Free conveyor systems
• 2-4 years of experience programming vision systems (e.g., Cognex, DVT, Keyence).
• 2-4 years of experience developing and maintaining HMI applications (Allen-Bradley PanelView / PanelView Plus).
• At least 2 years of experience working in JIT, SPD, ILVS, or batch manufacturing environments, including broadcast and demand-driven production logic.
• Experience with both manual and automated assembly systems, including mechanical and control system integration.
• Strong technical skillset including Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, RSLogix 5000, RSLogix 500, and FactoryTalk View.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and cross-functionally.

Work Schedule & Travel

• Approximately 10% travel, as needed for equipment support, vendor coordination, or project implementation

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records