Production Engineer (Automation and Controls)

HTI; Piedmont (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HTI partners with JTEKT North America to expand our Piedmont, SC facility in 2025. We seek a Control Engineer to design and program PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for high-volume production, and to integrate robotics and vision for automated inspection and traceability.

You will collaborate with engineering and quality teams to deploy automation, lead issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives, and develop tooling and gauging for robust processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering or related field, or equivalent.
• 3+ years in electrical and controls engineering in high-volume or automotive manufacturing.
• Proficiency in PLC/HMI programming with Mitsubishi and Allen-Bradley.
• Experience with SCADA systems and Fanuc robotics.
• Familiarity with Keyence vision and laser marking systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for automated systems.
• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics and design complex control systems.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, TPS, and IATF 16949.
• Skilled in data analytics tools such as OEE and SPC.

Responsibilities

• Design and program PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for production operations.
• Integrate robotics and vision systems to support automation, inspection, and traceability.
• Collaborate across engineering and quality teams to deploy automation and support new product introductions.
• Lead technical issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and uptime.
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and gauging for robust manufacturing processes.
• Commission new equipment and manage spare parts strategies.
• Conduct equipment capability studies, PFMEAs, and capital equipment evaluations.
• Create detailed engineering documentation and reports.
• Support a clean, safe, and organized work environment aligned with 5S principles.
• Assist production and maintenance teams with troubleshooting and system reliability.

Skills

PLC/HMI programming

SCADA systems

Robotics & vision

Troubleshooting

Electrical schematics

Lean Six Sigma

OEE & SPC

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechatronics/Automation Engineering

Tools

Mitsubishi PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

Keyence vision

Fanuc robotics

Laser marking systems

Job description

HTI partners with JTEKT North America to deliver recruiting and staffing solutions.

Join JTEKT North America—a global leader in automotive systems, bearing solutions, and high-performance machine tools—as we expand our Piedmont, SC facility in 2025 with over 120 new machines and automation systems. As a Control Engineer, you’ll be a key technical contributor helping scale and optimize our high-volume, manufacturing operation.

What You Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3+ years of experience in electrical and controls engineering within high-volume or automotive manufacturing
• Proficiency in PLC/HMI programming with Mitsubishi and Allen-Bradley platforms
• Experience with SCADA systems and Fanuc robotics
• Familiarity with Keyence vision and laser marking systems
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills for automated systems
• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics and design complex control systems
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, TPS, and IATF 16949 standards
• Skilled in using data analytics tools such as OEE and SPC

What You Will Do:

• Design and program PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems for production operations
• Integrate robotics and vision systems to support automation, inspection, and traceability
• Collaborate across engineering and quality teams to deploy automation and support new product introductions
• Lead technical issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and uptime
• Develop tooling, fixtures, and gauging for robust manufacturing processes
• Commission new equipment and manage spare parts strategies
• Conduct equipment capability studies, PFMEAs, and capital equipment evaluations
• Create detailed engineering documentation and reports
• Support a clean, safe, and organized work environment aligned with 5S principles
• Assist production and maintenance teams with troubleshooting and system reliability

Compensation:

Highly competitive; based on experience and technical depth

This is an onsite role in a manufacturing setting that requires physical activity, including lifting up to 40 lbs, standing, and repetitive motion. Safety equipment such as steel-toed shoes and safety glasses will be required.