Controls Engineer III

Daifuku Airport America Corporation; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

Paid vacation

401(k) plan

Flexible Spending Programs

Job summary

Daifuku Airport America Corporation seeks a Controls Engineer III in Novi, MI. This role involves designing electrical/PLC control systems for airport baggage security systems. Candidates must have a technical degree and at least five years of relevant experience, particularly with Allen Bradley PLC programming. Excellent communication skills and an ability to manage a team are essential. The position includes a comprehensive benefits package, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Qualifications

• Must have a technical degree or equivalent experience.
• Five years of experience in industrial automation controls design and commissioning preferred.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical/PLC control systems and manage a team of controls engineers.
• Coordinate controls design with other engineering disciplines and project management.
• Attend design review meetings with the customer to ensure satisfaction.

Skills

Time Management

Critical Thinking

Judgment and Decision Making

Monitoring

Verbal and Written Expression

Problem Sensitivity

Detail Oriented

Education

BSEE, E.T. or relevant technical degree

Five years of experience in industrial automation controls design and commissioning

Tools

Allen Bradley PLC ControlLogix programming

AutoCAD

Job description

Overview

Daifuku Airport America Corporation is a subsidiary of Daifuku North America, a group company of Daifuku in Japan – the largest material handling company in the world. Our advanced systems move everything from car bodies at auto plants to luggage at airports to packaged goods at warehouses. We are known as experts in engineering, manufacturing, and servicing innovative automated materials handling systems including conveyors, automatic guided vehicles, automated storage & retrieval systems, and integrated controls.

Daifuku is the world‑class leader in design, build, and installation of large‑scale airport baggage conveyor security systems. At Daifuku Airport America this division is named Airport Technologies (ATEC) because we specialize in traditional baggage systems as well as innovative airport material handling.

Our controls engineering team averages 10 years of experience because we value mentorship, growth, collaboration, and flexibility. Members of our team view their work as a career and we offer the opportunity to bring creativity to our innovative systems.

Controls experts in ATEC design and build expansive baggage conveyor systems. This unique skill set encompasses an understanding of mechanical, electrical, logistical, and software interactions implemented with sound engineering principles. If you have technical acumen, strong problem‑solving skills, and a penchant for creativity, this is a field for you.

Responsibilities

As a Controls Engineer III, you will be a member of the team responsible for the electrical/controls portion of airport baggage security systems. You will design the electrical and/or software elements to meet the specifications within the project schedule and budget. Additionally, you will write the technical specifications, design the control panels, debug the PLC programs, and commission the systems.

Major Areas of Responsibility

• Design electrical/PLC control systems, including specifying work for others, producing electrical device layout drawings, motor control panel drawings, and wiring schematics.
• Installation and technical support of PLC‑based hardware and software.
• Perform control system and software changes; create and modify system specifications and operating procedures.
• Program, troubleshoot, and repair sensors, scanners, visualization systems, motors, frequency inverters, and encoders.
• Coordinate controls design with other engineering disciplines and project management.
• Manage a team of controls engineers and delegate tasks as necessary.
• Participate in testing and commissioning efforts at major airports.
• Attend design review meetings with the customer.
• Support proposals and customer inquiries; estimate new project work.
• Meet timelines to ensure projects stay on schedule and on budget.

Basic Knowledge

• Engineering and Technology – Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language.

Qualifications

Basic Skills & Abilities

• Time Management – Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to evaluate alternative solutions.
• Judgment and Decision Making – Considering relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the optimal course.
• Monitoring – Assessing performance to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Verbal and Written Expression – Listening, understanding, and communicating information and ideas.
• Problem Sensitivity – Detecting when something is wrong or likely to go wrong.
• Detail Oriented – Strong attention to detail.
• Conscientiousness – Thorough and diligent in one's duties.
• Must be willing to work extended hours, weekends, and holidays to support customer service and change requests. Travel may be required for commissioning and on‑site engineering tasks. Off‑shift work may be necessary to support commissioning efforts.

Education & Experience

• BSEE, E.T. or relevant technical degree, or equivalent experience.
• Preferred five (5) years of experience in industrial automation controls design and commissioning.
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLC ControlLogix programming.
• AutoCAD experience.
• Experience with material handling equipment.
• Baggage handling experience is a plus.
• Experience managing a team of controls engineers is a plus.
• Scheduling and estimating experience required.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

Demonstrated Physical Abilities

Remain stationary for approximately 50% of the time; move/traverse around the office to access file cabinets and office equipment; operate a computer and other productivity machinery; inspect documents; communicate with others; read and assess forms and correspondence.

Daifuku Airport America Corporation offers an excellent compensation package including medical, vision, and dental insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, a 401(k) plan, Flexible Spending Programs, and more.

Daifuku Airport America Corporation is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer for veterans and people with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, or medical condition.