Senior Controls Engineer

LEAR CORPORATION; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lear Corporation in Auburn Hills, MI seeks a Controls Engineer Manager to lead plant automation, drive capital projects, and ensure safe, cost-effective operation of electrical controls and automation systems.

You will mentor a small team, develop PLC logic and HMI interfaces, coordinate with electrical and mechanical groups, and push continuous improvement across production lines and new model launches.

Qualifications

• Expertise in RSLogix 500/5000, FactoryTalk HMI, Baluff IO link, and PLC programming.
• Fanuc programming or basic robotics understanding.
• Knowledge of safety standards: OSHA 1910, machine guarding, ANSI/RIA 15.06, robot safety.
• Participation in risk assessments for automated equipment.
• AutoCAD experience for electrical layouts.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and coordinate controls systems.
• Experience interfacing with MES and external manufacturing systems.
• Atlas Copco Tools Talk programming experience and torque tool interfaces.
• Experience with servo-driven equipment controls and programming.
• Vision systems knowledge to guide robots is a plus.
• MS Office proficiency.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design and oversee control system projects from spec to startup.
• Supervise and mentor the controls team to meet timelines and quality standards.
• Develop and implement PLC logic, HMI, and motion control integrations.
• Oversee controls hardware and software design for complex machine systems with cross-functional collaboration.
• Support implementation of advanced automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with electrical, mechanical, and MES teams.
• Manage workload, assignments, and staffing to ensure timely completion of projects.
• Conduct performance reviews and development plans for team members.

Skills

RS Logix 500

RS Logix 5000

Factory Talk HMI

Baluff I/O link

Programming

Tools

AutoCAD

Atlas Copco Tools Talk

Job description

Controls Engineer Manager

Auburn Hills, MI

The Role

The Controls Engineer Manager is responsible for providing advanced controls engineering and technical oversight within a manufacturing environment. This role exercises a high degree of independent judgment, strategic thinking, and technical authority to support plant performance, safety, quality, cost, and throughput objectives. This role drives capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and new model launch while ensuring long‑term reliability and cost‑effective maintenance of plant systems.

• Responsible for implementation of projects from technical specification to startup support to implementation.
• Leadership role responsible for technical design, project coordination, and supervision of the controls team. The position supports senior leadership while leading the integration, testing, and installation of advanced machine tools and automation systems.
• Supervise and mentor a small team of controls engineers, ensuring project timelines and quality standards are met.
• Design and develop all aspects of electrical control systems, equipment, and programming using Lear Corporation standards and build upon with innovative ideas.
• Oversee controls hardware and software design for complex machine systems, collaborating with electrical and mechanical teams.
• Support implementation of proven and newly developed advanced automation.
• Develop and implement PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and motion control integration (Siemens and/or Allen Bradley).
• Document and use existing control standards to develop requirements for automated cells.
• Manage controls engineering workload, project assignments, and staffing resources to ensure timely completion of projects and support activities.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, establish development plans, and hold team members accountable for results and continuous improvement.

Your Qualifications

• Expert in (RS Logix 500, RS Logix 5000, Factory Talk HMI, Baluff I/O link, programming).
• Fanuc Programming or basic understanding with Robotics.
• Understand and communicate applicable safety standards: general industry (OSHA 1910), machine guarding, robot safety (ANSI/RIA 15.06), automated vehicles, conveyor safety.
• Supporting member of Risk Assessments on all automated equipment.
• Auto CAD Experience.
• Ability to read electrical drawings.
• Coordinate and manage controls systems.
• Communication with external manufacturing system /MES.
• Atlas Copco Tools Talk programming and interface with torque tools.
• Experience with controls and programming servo driven equipment.
• Basic experience with Vision systems to guide robot – offsets.
• Develop & Completion of Automation risk assessments.
• Knowledgeable in MS‑Office.
• Strong leadership, and communication skills.

Bonus If You Have

• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV/AMR) experience.
• Mentor and Train plant controls engineers and support production as needed.
• Communicate across cross functional groups.
• Support Kaizen, Improvement walks, and Error proofing projects.
• Willingness to work any shift and support off-shift production, shutdowns, and launch activities.

Lear Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workplace.