Senior Controls Engineer, Body

Slate; Warsaw (IN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Slate is seeking a senior Controls Engineer to support Body production operations, maintaining and improving automation systems. The role focuses on uptime, running changes, PLC/robot intelligence, and safety-centric control logic.

You will troubleshoot PLCs, robots, and vision systems, implement process improvements, and collaborate with maintenance and engineering teams to drive reliability and quality in high-volume automotive BIW production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field.
• 5–7 years in a high-volume manufacturing controls role.
• PLC programming and troubleshooting expertise on Siemens/Rockwell platforms.
• Experience with HMIs/SCADA: WinCC, TIA Portal, Ignition.
• Robotics and vision systems experience in automotive BIW preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for PLCs, robots, and vision systems.
• Diagnose downtime and implement corrective actions quickly.
• Modify PLC logic and HMI programs to improve usability.
• Support running changes and equipment upgrades with minimal disruption.
• Conduct root cause analysis for automation failures and throughput issues.
• Develop and maintain documentation, training, and preventive maintenance plans.
• Ensure safety compliance and maintain safe control logic.
• Track performance and drive continuous improvement in uptime.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams.

Skills

PLC programming & troubleshooting

Robotics experience

HMI/SCADA experience

Root cause analysis

Documentation & standardization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Mechatronics/CS

Tools

WinCC

TIA Portal

Ignition SCADA

Fanuc robots

Job description

About Slate

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Who We Are Looking For

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support Body production operations by maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automation and control systems. This role is responsible for ensuring maximum uptime, implementing running changes, and continuously improving PLCs, HMIs, robots, vision systems, and automation equipment to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

What You Get To Do

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and support for PLCs, robots, motion controls, and vision systems in BIW production.
• Diagnoses and resolve automation-related downtime quickly to minimize production impact.
• Modify and optimize PLC logic, HMI screens, and robot programs to improve operator and maintenance usability.
• Support running changes, equipment upgrades, and control system updates with minimal disruption to production.
• Conduct root cause analysis for automation-related failures, throughput issues, and quality concerns; drive corrective actions.
• Partner with maintenance and engineering teams to develop and maintain documentation, training, and preventive maintenance plans.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, perform risk assessments, and maintain safe control logic (safety PLC, interlocks, DCS).
• Track system performance, identify recurring issues, and implement continuous improvement initiatives in safety, quality, and uptime.
• Collaborate with production supervisors, quality, and dimensional engineering to support daily plant operations.

What You Bring To The Team

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience as a Controls/Automation Engineer in a high-volume manufacturing environment (automotive BIW preferred).
• Proficiency with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Siemens, Rockwell, or equivalent).
• Experience with HMIs/SCADA systems (WinCC, TIA Portal, Ignition SCADA, or similar).
• Hands-on experience with industrial robots (Fanuc strongly preferred), dispense systems, and vision/bead detection systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills under production timing constraints.
• Knowledge of fieldbus networks, safety PLCs, and motion control systems.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949, PFMEA, and control plan methodology.
• Ability to standardize and document controls processes for plant-wide use.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…?

We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.

Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].