Controls Implementation Engineer - Vehicle Manufacturing Engrg

Ford; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 87,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Parental leave

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford in Dearborn, MI is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer to help design, install and optimize world‑class automated manufacturing systems. You will program, troubleshoot and optimize PLC and HMI applications, support FANUC robot integration, and ensure safe, reliable operation across industrial networks.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline and hands‑on experience with automation, control drawings, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent controls/automation experience.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLC-based automation systems.
• Experience with automated equipment commissioning.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical controls, safety systems, and networks.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical drawings and control schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively with equipment suppliers, plant personnel, and cross-functional engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Support controls activities from equipment design through installation, commissioning, launch, and final acceptance.
• Review supplier controls designs, programs, architectures, and documentation.
• Support equipment power-on, I/O checkout, sequence validation, dry-cycle, production trials, and launch.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI applications.
• Support FANUC robot integration and troubleshooting, including robot-to-PLC interfaces and DCS.
• Troubleshoot industrial networks and equipment communication issues.
• Support integration of drives, sensors, safety devices, vision systems, fastening systems, and other manufacturing devices.
• Validate machine safety systems and safe operating conditions.
• Support error proofing and process verification.
• Troubleshoot equipment in automatic, manual, recovery, restart, and fault conditions.
• Drive controls-related issues to closure with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Support equipment supplier buyoffs and plant acceptance.
• Ensure controls implementation and documentation meet applicable Ford/VO standards.
• Provide technical support during installation, commissioning, and launch as required.

Skills

PLC programming

Automation commissioning

Electrical drawings

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional teamwork

Safety systems

Industrial networks

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC

FANUC robotics

Job description

We made history and now we work to transform the future - for our customers, our communities and our families. You'll see your work on the road every day, helping people move freely and pursue their dreams. At Ford, you can build more than vehicles. Come build what matters.

As part of our Manufacturing team, you'll help build the world‑class, state‑of‑the‑art smart vehicles we're known for. In our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. You'll get the satisfaction of making great products people use and love.

In this position...

As part of our Automation and Controls Engineering manufacturing team, you'll help build the world‑class, state‑of‑the‑art smart vehicles the world expects from us. Within our plants around the world, we're constantly developing new technologies and processes to further increase our efficiency. That means we're continually seeking diligent, driven performers who think creatively to help us find better and more efficient ways to manufacture our vehicles.

What you’ll do...

• Support controls activities from equipment design through installation, commissioning, launch, and final acceptance.
• Review supplier controls designs, programs, architectures, and documentation.
• Support equipment power‑on, I/O checkout, sequence validation, dry‑cycle, production trials, and launch.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI applications.
• Support FANUC robot integration and troubleshooting, including robot‑to‑PLC interfaces and DCS.
• Troubleshoot industrial networks and equipment communication issues.
• Support integration of drives, sensors, safety devices, vision systems, fastening systems, and other manufacturing devices.
• Validate machine safety systems and safe operating conditions.
• Support error proofing and process verification.
• Troubleshoot equipment in automatic, manual, recovery, restart, and fault conditions.
• Drive controls‑related issues to closure with suppliers and cross‑functional teams.
• Support equipment supplier buyoffs and plant acceptance.
• Ensure controls implementation and documentation meet applicable Ford/VO standards.
• Provide technical support during installation, commissioning, and launch as required.

You’ll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant controls/automation experience.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLC‑based automation systems.
• Experience with automated equipment commissioning.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical controls, safety systems, and networks.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical drawings and control schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting and root‑cause‑analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively with equipment suppliers, plant personnel, and cross‑functional engineering teams.

Even better, you may have...

• Automotive or high‑volume manufacturing experience.
• Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley PLC and HMI experience.
• FANUC robot programming and troubleshooting experience.
• FANUC DCS experience or certification.
• Machine safety programming and validation experience.
• TÜV Functional Safety certification or equivalent safety training.
• Industrial Ethernet/network experience.
• Vision systems, torque/rundown systems, drives, scanners, and intelligent device integration.
• Error‑proofing/poka‑yoke experience.
• Equipment launch, installation, commissioning, and production‑support experience.

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp–up programs, subsidized back‑up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $86,600-$144,900.

This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $99,100-$166,200.