MES Controls Engineer – Ground-Up Auto Automation

North Point Technology, LLC; Warren, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

North Point Technology, LLC in Warren, MI seeks an experienced Controls / MES Engineer to lead a ground-up manufacturing automation implementation for a major automotive client. The role focuses on design, programming, integration, and commissioning of controls and MES functionality.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate hands-on experience from design through production launch, including Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition, PLC-to-MES integration, and barcode/RFID production tracking.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix and Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000.
• Experience writing new PLC programs for equipment, stations, or production lines from scratch.
• Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition.
• Experience developing Ignition screens, tags, scripting, and/or application architecture.
• Experience integrating PLCs with MES or manufacturing information systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing transactions such as work-order validation, traceability, recipes, production reporting, and serial-number tracking.
• Experience commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across controls hardware, PLC software, industrial networks, and production systems.
• Experience in automotive or other high-volume discrete manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix PLC programs from the ground up.
• Develop PLC architecture including ladder logic, tag structures, UDTs, AOIs, sequencing, diagnostics, alarms, and equipment interfaces.
• Design and build Ignition HMI/SCADA applications, including screens, tags, scripting, alarms, communications, and system configuration.
• 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, recipe/model management, production reporting, and pass/fail transactions.
• Integrate barcode scanners, RFID systems, and other production tracking equipment.
• Configure and integrate Zebra industrial label printers, including generation and implementation of ZPL code.
• Develop automated label-printing processes tied to production events, work orders, and cycle completion.
• Perform controls system startup, debugging, commissioning, FAT/SAT, and production launch activities.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, MES, networking, and equipment communication issues as needed.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, IT/MES teams, equipment integrators, and plant personnel throughout implementation.
• Develop and maintain controls documentation, system architecture, backups, and commissioning records.

Skills

PLC programming

Ignition development

PLC-to-MES integration

Rockwell Studio 5000

Automation systems design

Industrial networking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering / Controls Engineering / Mechatronics

Tools

RSLogix 5000

Studio 5000

Ignition

ZPL code

Job description

North Point Technology, LLC in Warren, MI seeks an experienced Controls / MES Engineer to lead a ground-up manufacturing automation implementation for a major automotive client. The role focuses on design, programming, integration, and commissioning of controls and MES functionality.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate hands-on experience from design through production launch, including Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition, PLC-to-MES integration, and barcode/RFID production tracking.