Senior Controls Engineer

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Whitehall Township (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with employer matching

Paid holidays and vacation

Parental leave

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Whitehall, MI seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to design, program, install, and maintain industrial control systems, blending OT with AI for real-time decision-making on the factory floor.

You will integrate AI-enabled outputs into control loops and drive continuous improvement while ensuring reliability, safety, and scalable automation across manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical/Controls Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years in manufacturing or industrial automation.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship not available.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and maintain control systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS/robotics) with AI/ML integration.
• Integrate AI outputs into control loops for predictive maintenance and anomaly detection.
• Troubleshoot, optimize, and upgrade existing automation to enable Industry 4.0 capabilities.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems

Robotics

AI integration

Data analysis

Systems thinking

Industrial automation

Education

BS Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

Python

AI edge tools

HMI

Networking

DCS

Job description

• Locations One Misco Drive, Whitehall, MI, 49461-1799, US (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time
• Export-Controlled Data This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items

Responsibilities

As a Senior Controls Engineer you will design, program, install and maintain industrial control systems (PLC, SCADA, robotics) while enabling seamless integration of AI outputs for intelligent, adaptive automation on the factory floor. This role bridges operational technology (OT) and AI platforms to implement real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance triggers, and closed-loop process control. The Controls Engineer ensures system reliability, safety, and scalability as the company advances toward Industry 4.0 capabilities.

Job Role:

• Analysis and synthesis--measures and interprets with exactness; ensures integrity of data; invites possibilities, improvements and scale based on data captured or from a data informed perspective
• Systems thinker--sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale
• Hands on-designs, programs, installs and maintains industrial control systems (PLC, SCADA, robotics)
• Optimizer--constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully
• Anticipation--looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next
• Best Practice - Utilizes knowledge of best practice approaches to pursue common systems and components to reduce complexity where possible
• Operational accelerator--drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions; initiates and collaborates with plant leadership to drive improvements identified by AI
• Organization and structure--works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals
• Influence--leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders
• Data informed--focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the "why" behind actions
• Prioritized reaction--handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist
• Relationship--connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a "win together" ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard

Responsibilities:

• Design, program, and maintain control systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS, robotics) with AI/ML (machine learning) integration for adaptive control and edge computing.
• Integrate AI outputs into control loops (e.g., predictive maintenance triggers or anomaly-based shutdowns).
• Troubleshoot, optimize, and upgrade existing automation to support

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications:

• BS in Electrical/Controls Engineering from an accredited institution
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing
• Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong PLC (Allen-Bradley/Siemens), HMI, and networking skills
• Experience with Python or AI edge tools
• 3+ years of automation experience in a manufacturing environment

About Us

Compensation and Benefits:

If a pay range is identified for this job, it is based on a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skillset, market/business considerations, and/or location.

Howmet Aerospace offers a competitive benefits package to support the health, financial well-being, and professional growth of our employees. Benefits include:

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision benefits coverage, including FSA and HSA account options
• Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) retirement savings plans offering employer matching funds and a separate employer retirement contribution
• Paid holidays and vacation time (eligibility, accrual, and usage are discretionary and governed by applicable policies)
• Paid parental leave and adoption assistance programs
• Life insurance and disability coverage plans
• Optional coverage plans for auto, home, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program and ongoing professional development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Our Story:

Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Howmet is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.