Field Service Controls Engineer ( Urgent Hire)

Connect-Force; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Connect-Force is seeking a Field Service Controls Engineer to design, commission, and troubleshoot advanced industrial machinery. You will program PLC/HMI systems, read electrical/mechanical schematics, and collaborate with mechanical engineers and project managers to ensure successful machine development and startup at customer sites.

The role involves approximately 50% travel, domestic and international, supporting installation and commissioning for global OEM clients.

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on automation / controls engineering experience.
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical blueprints.
• Strong troubleshooting ability with industrial machinery.
• Experience with PLC programming and machine controls.
• Knowledge of industrial automation and networking.
• Strong problem-solving mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, debug, and commission advanced industrial machinery.
• Program and modify PLC and HMI controls systems.
• Work closely with mechanical engineers and project managers during machine development.
• Read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics.
• Perform machine startup, run-off testing, and system validation.
• Troubleshoot controls, servo systems, and industrial networks.
• Support machine installation and commissioning at customer facilities.
• Interface with customers during machine acceptance and technical discussions.
• Assist project teams in maintaining schedules and meeting project timelines.
• Provide service support and system troubleshooting in the field.

Skills

Ladder Logic

STL

SCL

G-Code

Visual Basic

C / C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Siemens Step 7

TIA Portal

WinCC Flexible

Sinumerik 840D

Allen Bradley Studio 5000

FactoryTalk Studio

Bosch Rexroth IndraWorks

EPLAN

Job description

Field Service Controls Engineer

Automation | PLC | Machine Commissioning | Global Travel

Location: Michigan (Travel Required)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing / Industrial Machinery

Join a Global Leader in Precision Manufacturing

With over 90 years of engineering innovation, our client is a global leader in advanced machining technology. Their systems power some of the world's most respected automotive and manufacturing brands.

As the company continues expanding globally, they are looking for a Field Service Controls Engineer who enjoys solving complex automation challenges, working directly with cutting-edge machinery, and traveling to customer facilities around the world to bring equipment to life.

If you enjoy PLC programming, machine commissioning, and troubleshooting sophisticated automation systems, this role puts you right in the middle of it.

What You'll Do

This role combines automation engineering, controls programming, machine startup, and customer-facing technical support.

You will:

• Design, configure, debug, and commission advanced industrial machinery
• Program and modify PLC and HMI controls systems
• Work closely with mechanical engineers and project managers during machine development
• Read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics
• Perform machine startup, run-off testing, and system validation
• Troubleshoot controls, servo systems, and industrial networks
• Support machine installation and commissioning at customer facilities
• Interface with customers during machine acceptance and technical discussions
• Assist project teams in maintaining schedules and meeting project timelines
• Provide service support and system troubleshooting in the field

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-precision automation systems used by global OEM manufacturers.

Controls & Automation Technologies

Experience with any of the following is highly valuable:

PLC / Programming

• Ladder Logic
• STL
• SCL
• G-Code
• Visual Basic
• C / C++

Industrial Automation Platforms

• Siemens Step 7
• TIA Portal
• WinCC Flexible
• Sinumerik 840D
• Allen Bradley Studio 5000
• FactoryTalk Studio
• Bosch Rexroth IndraWorks

Industrial Networks

• Ethernet/IP
• Profinet
• Profibus
• CANbus
• RS232 / RS485
• Arcnet

Additional Technical Skills

• HMI programming
• Servo systems & controllers
• Industrial I/O devices
• Electrical and mechanical troubleshooting
• EPLAN or AutoCAD knowledge

What We're Looking For

Education / Experience

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field OR
• 5+ years of hands-on automation / controls engineering experience

Technical Skills

• Ability to read electrical and mechanical blueprints
• Strong troubleshooting ability with industrial machinery
• Experience with PLC programming and machine controls
• Knowledge of industrial automation and networking
• Strong problem-solving mindset

Professional Skills

• Strong communication and customer interaction skills
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Organized and detail-oriented with strong time management
• Ability to adapt quickly in dynamic project environments

Travel & Work Environment

This role includes approximately 50% travel, both domestic and international, supporting machine installation and commissioning projects at customer sites.

You’ll work in a combination of:

• Engineering office environments
• Manufacturing facilities
• Customer production plants

Why Engineers Love This Role

Work on high-precision industrial automation systems
Gain global commissioning experience
Work with advanced PLC and motion control platforms
See machines you helped build running on production floors worldwide
Join a collaborative engineering team with decades of expertise