Controls Engineering Specialist – Battery Pack Assembly

Sustainable-Talent; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Sustainable Talent is staffing a brand-new battery pack assembly plant in Jeffersonville, IN, with a Controls Engineering Specialist who will drive automation, PLC programming, and controls best practices across the project lifecycle.

The role starts remote, then moves on-site, requiring flexibility for nights, weekends and holidays. Collaboration with IT, Manufacturing Engineering and production teams is essential to hit safety, quality and production goals.

Qualifications

• 3+ years controls engineering in automated manufacturing.
• 3+ years networking and communication protocols experience.
• 3+ years PLC programming experience (Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley).
• Ability and willingness to work off-shift schedules.

Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to KUP, Safety OS, and Quality OS practices.
• Use Andon and FIS data to prioritize work and monitor cycle times.
• Identify and train others on Controls Best Practices and Change Control Processes.
• Coordinate with IT on controls/IT interface issues and system integration.
• Review, approve and update engineering drawings; monitor software specs and coordinate OEM training.
• Resolve issues during machine build, installation and production; program PLC/HMI.
• Set up and maintain barcode scanners and printers.
• Run equipment against specs to validate capability, safety and robustness.
• Support process design and FMEAs to meet performance targets.
• Coordinate installation timing with plant/Manufacturing Eng teams.
• Capture lessons learned and apply to new programs.
• Program new installations and reprogram existing systems for changes.
• Lead troubleshooting for machinery, robots, and controls downtime.
• Help train manufacturing personnel and plant electricians.
• Review and coordinate project installations across site.

Skills

Controls engineering

Networking protocols

PLC programming

Off-shift work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

FANUC

ABB

Universal Robots

Industrial lasers

Job description

Controls Engineering Specialist – Battery Pack Assembly

Controls Engineering Specialist – Battery Pack Assembly

Location: Jeffersonville, IN (Remote to start, then On-site)

About Sustainable Talent

At Sustainable Talent, we build high-performing teams that match our clients' goals and values. We are partnering with a leading global automotive manufacturer to staff a brand-new battery pack assembly plant in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This is a rare chance to help build a greenfield operation from the ground up.

The Opportunity

As Engineering Specialist, Controls, you will help launch and run a new battery pack assembly plant. You will drive controls best practices, automation programming and equipment troubleshooting to hit safety, quality and production goals. You will play a key role in the design, installation, validation and continuous improvement of automated systems, covering PLCs, robotics, vision, fastening, welding and conveyors. You will work with IT, Manufacturing Engineering and production teams to solve problems, implement engineering changes, and capture lessons learned that shape future programs.

The role starts remotely and moves onsite in Jeffersonville, Indiana. During construction, you may attend onsite meetings or work from a temporary onsite office. It requires flexibility to work all shift schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays.

What You'll Do

• Ensure adherence to Key Unifying PRocesses (KUP), Safety Operating Systems (zero injuries), and Quality Operating System (zero defects) practices
• Use Andon and FIS (Factory Information Systems) data to prioritize work, monitor cycle times and drive 100% flow
• Identify, implement and train others on Controls Best Practices, Enablers and Change Control Processes
• Act as the liaison with IT on controls/IT interface issues, including integration with FIS, Error Proofing, QWX and QTS systems
• Review, approve and update engineering drawings; monitor software specifications and coordinate OEM training as needed
• Resolve issues during machine build, installation and production, including PLC programs, HMI screens and automation downtime
• Set up and maintain industrial barcode scanners and printers
• Run off equipment against supplier and plant specifications to validate capability, robustness and safety
• Support process design and FMEAs so production systems meet performance targets
• Coordinate installation timing and documentation with plant and Manufacturing Engineering teams
• Capture lessons learned and apply them to new programs and existing standards
• Program new installations and reprogram existing systems (vision, fastening, dispense, leak test, electrical test, welding, gantry, conveyor) for engineering changes and improvements
• Lead troubleshooting for machinery, robots, automation and controls-related downtime
• Help train manufacturing personnel and plant electricians
• Review and coordinate project installations across the site

What You'll Bring

• 3+ years of controls engineering experience in an automated manufacturing environment
• 3+ years of networking and communication protocols experience
• 3+ years of PLC programming experience (Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley)
• Ability and willingness to work off-shift schedules

Nice to Have

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Controls or Automation preferred)
• Experience with FANUC, ABB and Universal Robots; Atlas Copco fastening; laser welding and metrology
• Knowledge of Industry 4.0 (data collection, AI/ML, IIoT, digital twin) and networking/controls architectures
• Familiarity with manufacturing IT applications such as plant information, traceability, quality data and statistical process control systems
• Understanding of Industrial Engineering, Lean/Six Sigma, 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, Value Stream Mapping, 8D, FMEA, DMAIC, TQM and Kaizen
• Knowledge of data structures/algorithms and electrical/safety standards (UL, ISO, IEC), including risk assessments
• Direct experience with assembly and machining controls architectures (hardware and software)
• Ability to read electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic controls prints
• PLC programming knowledge (Siemens, Schneider, Bosch), plus CNC/motion control, vision and RFID systems
• Ability to troubleshoot PLC, CNC, robot and automation issues; CNC/gantry integration a plus
• Strong leadership, team-building and communication skills
• A self-starter with strong organizational and influencing skills, comfortable working with senior management, engineering, safety, IT and production

The salary range for this position is $74,300 – $166,200. This position includes a comprehensive benefits package. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Sustainable Talent is a M/f+, disabled, and veteran equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Sustainable Talent’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.