Lead Industrial Controls Engineer – Automation & Leadership

Bradford White; Middleville (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Bradford White is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to drive automation across our manufacturing lines. You will lead a team of Controls Engineers and Technicians, design and optimize PLC-based systems (Allen-Bradley), and push Lean and Six Sigma improvements to maximize uptime and product quality.

You will collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, and NPD teams to implement new equipment, manage capital projects, and ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations across the facility

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; Master’s a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Oversee the design, programming, and optimization of PLC-based control systems (Allen-Bradley) for automated manufacturing equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (production, maintenance, quality, advanced manufacturing engineering, new product development) to integrate new equipment and processes into production.
• Manage controls-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Troubleshoot complex automation issues, providing hands-on support when needed to minimize downtime.
• Maintain and enforce controls documentation, including electrical schematics, software backups, and change management records.
• Champion compliance with safety standards, electrical codes, and engineering guidelines.
• Designing and troubleshooting of electrical controls systems.
• Designing, constructing, integrating, installing, successful launch and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment and tools.
• Providing technical direction to and oversight of outside vendor sources.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial networking

Robotics

Motion control

AutoCAD

Servo motors

VFD drive

Vision systems Cognex/Keyence

Welding controls

Lean Six Sigma

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Bradford White is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to drive automation across our manufacturing lines. You will lead a team of Controls Engineers and Technicians, design and optimize PLC-based systems (Allen-Bradley), and push Lean and Six Sigma improvements to maximize uptime and product quality.

You will collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, and NPD teams to implement new equipment, manage capital projects, and ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations across the facility