Multi-Plant OT Automation Engineer — Industry 4.0 Leader

Challenge Mfg. Company LLC; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 92,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k match

ESOP shares

Paid time off

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing seeks an OT Automation Engineer to lead automation initiatives across our multi-plant operations. You will deploy Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics, ensure reliability, security, and compliance with automotive standards while driving Industry 4.0 projects across facilities.

You will standardize controls practices, integrate with MES/SCADA/IIoT, and apply AI/ML for predictive maintenance.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering.
• 5+ years of industrial automation experience in multi-plant automotive manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics systems (Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki).
• Experience standardizing automation practices across multiple plants.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with multi-site issue resolution.
• Multi-plant project management and new vehicle launch experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, deployment, and optimization of multi-plant automation systems, including Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics.
• Develop and standardize automation and controls practices across all plants to ensure consistency, reliability, and compliance with automotive standards (IATF 16949, ISO 10218).
• Oversee integration of automation systems with MES, SCADA, IIoT, and analytics platforms for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, including AI/ML for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and quality monitoring.
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering, OT, and IT teams to optimize throughput, line efficiency, uptime, and quality KPIs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation and robotics issues across multiple sites, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal production impact.
• Support new vehicle program launches and plant expansions with robust automation integration, testing, and commissioning.
• Evaluate, recommend, and deploy emerging automation technologies, including collaborative robots (cobots), AMRs, AGVs, and digital twin solutions.
• Establish automation KPIs, monitor performance across plants, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor and develop Controls & Robotics Engineers and technicians across sites.
• Ensure OT cybersecurity and secure connectivity for automation and robotics systems, in collaboration with IT/OT teams.
• Maintain detailed SOPs, technical documentation, system manuals, and disaster recovery plans for multi-plant operations.
• Participate in lean manufacturing initiatives and automation optimization projects.

Skills

Automation engineering

Rockwell PLCs

HMI systems

Robotics integration

Cross-plant coordination

Education

Associates degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/Robotics Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Rockwell Automation hardware

Robotics systems (Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki)

MES/SCADA/IIoT integration

AI/ML for predictive maintenance

Job description

Challenge Manufacturing seeks an OT Automation Engineer to lead automation initiatives across our multi-plant operations. You will deploy Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics, ensure reliability, security, and compliance with automotive standards while driving Industry 4.0 projects across facilities.

You will standardize controls practices, integrate with MES/SCADA/IIoT, and apply AI/ML for predictive maintenance.