Ground-Up Controls Engineer - Automation & MES (Rockwell)

North-Point-Technology; Warren (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

North Point Technology in Warren, MI seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to lead a ground-up automation implementation for a major automotive manufacturer. The role focuses on designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning controls and MES functionality using Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition, and PLC-to-MES integration.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience taking automation systems from design through commissioning and production launch, not just maintenance, and will collaborate

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing and commissioning controls and MES interfaces.
• Experience building PLC architectures and machine controls from scratch.
• Proficiency with Ignition screens, scripting, and application architecture.
• Experience integrating PLCs with MES or manufacturing information systems.
• Understanding of work-order validation, traceability, recipes, and production reporting.
• Bachelor-level engineering education with strong hands-on project experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix PLC programs from the ground up.
• Develop PLC architecture including ladder logic, tags, UDTs, AOIs, sequencing, diagnostics, alarms, and interfaces.
• Design and build Ignition HMI/SCADA applications with screens, tags, scripting, alarms, and communications.
• Develop and implement communication between PLCs and MES systems.
• Create PLC/MES transaction and handshake logic for manufacturing operations.
• Support work-order verification, part and serial-number traceability, recipes, production reporting, and pass/fail transactions.
• Integrate barcode scanners, RFID systems, and other production-tracking equipment.
• Configure Zebra printers and generate ZPL code; develop automated label printing tied to production events.
• Startup, debugging, commissioning, FAT/SAT, and production launch activities.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, MES, networking, and equipment communication issues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, IT/MES teams, equipment integrators, and plant personnel.
• Maintain controls documentation, system architecture, backups, and commissioning records.

Skills

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix

RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000

Ignition development

PLC programming from scratch

HMI/SCADA development

MES integration

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting controls & networks

Automotive manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Controls Engineering

Tools

Inductive Automation Ignition

Zebra printers (ZPL code)

Job description

North Point Technology in Warren, MI seeks an experienced Controls Engineer to lead a ground-up automation implementation for a major automotive manufacturer. The role focuses on designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning controls and MES functionality using Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition, and PLC-to-MES integration.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience taking automation systems from design through commissioning and production launch, not just maintenance, and will collaborate