Controls Engineering Lead - Automation & Machinery

Connect Force

West Bloomfield Charter Township (MI)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

401(k) with company contribution

Paid vacation and holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Exposure to advanced automation tech

Job summary

Connect Force in Metro Detroit seeks a Controls Engineering Supervisor to lead a team of controls engineers responsible for the design, programming, commissioning, and optimization of complex automated machinery in a precision manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in industrial automation, PLC/HMI programming, electrical controls, and machine integration, with hands-on leadership and mentoring to drive performance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
6+ years of controls engineering in manufacturing, automation, or custom machinery.
Previous leadership or project leadership experience within an engineering team.
Strong experience with PLC programming: Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff.
Experience with HMI/SCADA systems and industrial networking.
Strong understanding of servo systems, motion control, and machine automation.
Ability to read electrical schematics and controls documentation.
Hands-on troubleshooting experience with automated machinery and production systems.
Ability to travel occasionally for startup and customer support.

Responsibilities

Lead and support a team of Controls Engineers on automation and machine build projects.
Oversee PLC, HMI, motion control, and industrial automation programming activities.
Assist with project planning, workload coordination, and technical direction for engineering projects.
Support machine commissioning, startup, debugging, and troubleshooting both internally and at customer facilities.
Collaborate closely with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, service, and project management teams.
Ensure controls systems meet customer specifications, safety standards, and internal quality expectations.
Review electrical schematics, system architecture, and controls documentation.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to machine performance, controls reliability, and engineering processes.
Mentor junior engineers and help develop technical talent within the department.
Support customer service and field troubleshooting efforts when needed.