Controls Engineering Lead for Automation & Machinery

Connect Force; Commerce (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company contribution

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Connect Force, based in the Metro Detroit area, seeks a seasoned Controls Engineering Supervisor to lead a team of controls engineers, drive PLC/HMI programming, and push advanced automation in a precision machinery environment.

The ideal candidate will combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership, oversee project execution, and ensure safe, reliable machine performance across customer installations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or related field.
• 6+ years in controls engineering within manufacturing or automation environments.
• Previous supervisory or project leadership experience in engineering.
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Beckhoff.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA and industrial networking.
• Knowledge of servo systems, motion control, and machine automation.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Hands-on troubleshooting with automated machinery.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for startup and support.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of controls engineers on automation and machine builds.
• Oversee PLC, HMI, motion control, and industrial automation programming.
• Assist with project planning, workload coordination, and technical direction.
• Support machine commissioning, startup, debugging, and customer-facing activities.
• Collaborate with mechanical, manufacturing, service, and project teams.
• Ensure controls systems meet specs, safety standards, and quality.
• Review electrical schematics, architecture, and controls docs.
• Drive continuous improvement for machine performance and processes.
• Develop junior engineers and nurture technical talent.
• Support field troubleshooting and customer service when needed.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Electrical controls

Industrial automation

Team leadership

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Beckhoff

Job description

Connect Force, based in the Metro Detroit area, seeks a seasoned Controls Engineering Supervisor to lead a team of controls engineers, drive PLC/HMI programming, and push advanced automation in a precision machinery environment.

The ideal candidate will combine hands-on engineering with technical leadership, oversee project execution, and ensure safe, reliable machine performance across customer installations.