Controls SME Engineer

CSP; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CSP in Auburn Hills, MI, seeks a Corporate Controls SME to develop and sustain global standards for PLC programming, robotics, HMI, and automation software across all facilities. You will lead architecture, backup management, and security practices while coaching engineers and supporting plant launches.

The role requires 10+ years in controls/automation, 5+ years leading multi-site initiatives, and travel. Automotive manufacturing experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of controls/automation experience; 5+ years leading multi-site initiatives.
• Automotive manufacturing and greenfield/brownfield project experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain global standards for PLC programming architecture, robot programming, HMI development, controls hardware, electrical design, naming conventions, and documentation.
• Standardize automation programming methodologies across all facilities.
• Define approved hardware and software platforms and standardize PLC logic across sites.
• Develop reusable PLC code libraries and standardized function blocks and create templates for safety, motion, and diagnostics.
• Support controls integration and lead reviews for capital equipment.

Skills

PLC programming

Robot programming

Controls architecture

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Automation Engineering, or related field

Tools

HMIs: FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Pro-face

Safety Systems: GuardLogix, Pilz, Sick, Banner

Job description

The Corporate Controls SME is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining global standards for industrial controls, robotics, HMI architecture, and automation software across all manufacturing facilities. This position serves as the corporate technical authority for PLC programming, robot programming, controls architecture, backup management, and automation best practices while supporting plant operations, new program launches, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role establishes standardized engineering methodologies that improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, simplify troubleshooting, accelerate program launches, and ensure consistency throughout the global manufacturing network.

This position will require travel

Global Controls & Robotics Standards:

• Develop and maintain global standards for PLC programming architecture, robot programming, HMI development, controls hardware, electrical design, naming conventions, and documentation.
• Standardize automation programming methodologies across all facilities.
• Define approved hardware and software platforms.
• Standardize PLC logic across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Develop reusable PLC code libraries and standardized function blocks.
• Create corporate programming templates for safety, motion, servo, process control, alarms, and diagnostics.
• Support controls integration and lead controls reviews for capital equipment.
• Establish global robot programming standards for Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, and Motoman/Yaskawa.
• Standardize programs, frames, tool definitions, I/O mapping, communication protocols, and safety configurations.
• Develop commissioning procedures and support troubleshooting.
• Standardize screen layouts, navigation, alarms, diagnostics, operator interfaces, and dashboards.
• Improve usability and reduce operator training requirements.

Backup & Disaster Recovery:

• Standardize backups for PLCs, robots, HMIs, drives, safety controllers, network devices, and industrial PCs.
• Implement automated backups, revision control, disaster recovery, cybersecurity, and restoration procedures.

Automation Documentation:

• Maintain standardized electrical drawings, network architecture, PLC and robot documentation, commissioning checklists, startup procedures, and preventive maintenance standards.

Manufacturing Support:

• Support production downtime, launches, installations, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations.
• Travel globally to support manufacturing operations as required.
• Improve OEE, reduce downtime, standardize troubleshooting, modernize controls, and implement Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Training & Technical Leadership:

• Develop training curriculum, mentor engineers, conduct workshops, and maintain best practices.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of controls/automation experience; 5+ years leading multi-site initiatives.
• Automotive manufacturing and greenfield/brownfield project experience preferred.

Technical Skills:

• HMIs: FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Pro-face.
• Safety Systems: GuardLogix, Pilz, Sick, Banner.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Automation Leadership, Global Standardization, Root Cause Analysis, Project Management, Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Cybersecurity, Change Management, Coaching.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Compliance to standards, reduced downtime, improved MTTR and OEE, standardized architectures, backup compliance, improved launch performance, reduced engineering effort, enhanced cybersecurity.