Senior Controls Engineer

GS Group; Michigan; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GS Group is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to own controls and robotics work on large-scale projects within our growing industrial automation division. You will take charge from design through startup, including commissioning, mentoring, and shaping technical decisions.

The role emphasizes hands-on ownership, wiring, pneumatics troubleshooting, and collaboration with external teams to ensure on-time delivery and robust system performance.

Qualifications

• BS in Controls Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years in automation.
• Strong experience with a major PLC suite.
• Hands-on experience commissioning machines.
• Experience commissioning servo drives and VFDs across brands.
• Solid knowledge of machine safety design – robot safety, operator safety, safety PLC programming, area scanners.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain PLC and HMI systems across automation machinery.
• Lead commissioning on larger projects, ensuring systems run per spec when live.
• Collaborate with external teams to keep delivery on track and on time.
• Mentor junior engineers, sharing controls and robotics expertise.
• Integrate multiple systems for seamless machine and process operation.
• Keep schematics, code, and manuals up to date.
• Troubleshoot live machines to minimise downtime and drive improvements.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI design

Machine commissioning

Robotics

Mentoring

Technical documentation

Troubleshooting

Safety systems knowledge

Education

BS in Controls Engineering

Tools

Servo drives

VFDs

Robot platforms exposure

Electrical schematics reading

Job description

We're looking for a Senior Controls Engineer to join a growing system integrator in industrial automation, taking ownership of controls and robotics work across large-scale projects.

This suits a hands-on senior engineer who wants genuine ownership - not just coding, but commissioning, mentoring, and driving technical decisions from design through to startup.

What you'll do:

• Design, build, and maintain PLC and HMI systems across a range of automation machinery.
• Lead commissioning on larger projects, making sure systems run to spec once live.
• Work with external teams and contractors to keep technical delivery on track and on time.
• Mentor junior engineers, sharing expertise in controls and robotics.
• Bring multiple systems together for seamless machine and process operation.
• Keep technical documentation current - schematics, code, and manuals.
• Troubleshoot live machines to minimise downtime and drive ongoing improvements.

What you'll need:

• B.S. in Controls Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years in automation.
• Strong experience with a major PLC suite.
• Hands-on experience commissioning machines.
• Experience commissioning servo drives and VFDs across multiple brands.
• Solid knowledge of machine safety design - robot safety, operator safety, safety PLC programming, area scanners.
• Confident reading and marking up electrical prints, with hands-on wiring and pneumatics troubleshooting.
• Preferred: exposure to major robot platforms.