Controls Engineer – MES & Manufacturing Automation

North Point Technology; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

North Point Technology in Novi, Michigan, is seeking a MES Controls Engineer to support and optimize manufacturing execution systems. This role requires at least 5 years of hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens PLC systems, along with a Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Responsibilities include troubleshooting system issues, supporting MES workflows, and collaborating with Process Engineers. Candidates should possess strong diagnostic skills and a basic understanding of MES integration.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience with PLC and HMI systems.
• Basic understanding of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for MES–PLC integrations during system launches.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and industrial network issues affecting MES.
• Support resolution of production execution issues impacting throughput.

Skills

PLC and HMI troubleshooting and diagnostic skills

MES integration

Collaboration with Process Engineers

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC systems

Siemens tag-based PLC systems

Job description

Controls Engineer – MES & Manufacturing Automation

MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) Controls Engineer

The MES Controls Engineer is responsible for supporting and optimizing manufacturing execution and automation systems in a high‑volume discrete manufacturing environment, with an emphasis on real‑time shop‑floor execution, seamless ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) –MES–PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) integration, and sustained production reliability under strict uptime and quality requirements.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide support for MES–PLC integrations during system launches and periods of constrained production.
• Configure, establish, and maintain MES‑to‑PLC communications.
• Integrate MES template routines and user‑defined data types (UDTs) into PLC programs.
• Assign, modify, and maintain PLC tags and logic required to send/receive MES transactions.
• Collaborate with Process Engineers and the MES team to understand process scope and ensure proper MES integration.
• Document all MES‑related PLC changes and issues on production lines and communicate updates in a timely manner.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI (Human Display Interface), and industrial network issues affecting MES execution.
• Ensure accuracy of real‑time production reporting through MES.
• Support resolution of production execution issues impacting throughput or quality.
• Partner with supervisors and operators to support effective MES workflows.
• Support quality enforcement and validation through MES.
• Collaborate with Process Engineering to manage part numbers and part number groups within the MES system.
• Assist with MES‑related audits, investigations, and data requests.
• Identify and recommend MES process and system improvement opportunities.
• Support MES enhancements, system upgrades, and production rollouts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience with Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell and Siemens tag‑based PLC and HMI systems.
• Strong PLC and HMI troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Basic understanding of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) preferred.