Senior Controls Engineer: PLC, HMI & MES Expert

Rivian; Normal (IL); On-site; USD 99,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

Rivian in Normal, IL seeks an Automation Controls Engineer for Equipment Engineering to be the production line expert for controls. This role emphasizes PLC programming, HMI, MES integration, and safety systems across multiple production areas, with responsibility for upgrades and configuration changes.

You will collaborate with engineers on future changes and support a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of Controls Engineering experience or equivalent work experience.
• BS/MS Electrical Engineering or equivalent work experience.
• Expertise with common controls hardware components used in high-volume manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience integrating and commissioning high volume manufacturing equipment.
• In-depth knowledge of Safety standards (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA).
• Experience participating in safety design reviews and validating equipment safeties during buy-off.
• In-depth knowledge of Electrical Standards (NFPA79, NEC, UL508A).
• Experience developing electrical schematics using EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar.
• Advanced proficiency programming industrial equipment using various IEC 61131-3 languages.
• Experience writing standard and safety PLC projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using Rockwell, Siemens, or Beckhoff PLCs.
• Experience creating HMI projects from scratch for high-volume manufacturing equipment using FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware, TwinCAT HMI, or similar.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial 6-axis robots such as Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki, etc. is preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting common fieldbus networks such as Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT, or Profinet.
• Knowledge of communications between machine PLCs and database systems
• Experience interfacing manufacturing equipment with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES).

Responsibilities

• Participate in various controls equipment buy-offs at vendor sites and Rivian's factory in Normal, IL for FAT, SAT, and safety.
• Develop controls standards and specifications by feeding back lessons-learned and gaps from each project.
• Continuously improve production lines by reducing cycle time, downtime, and improving quality.
• Maintain, modify, and version control equipment programs, configuration files, and documentation.
• Add or remove network devices and update switch configurations as needed.
• Troubleshoot and enhance PLCs using ladder logic and structured text.
• Troubleshoot HMIs to be more user-friendly and reliable for operations.
• Implement MES logic for production and performance management in PLCs and HMIs.
• Ensure ANSI/RIA15.06/OSHA compliant safety systems for robots, conveyors, etc.
• Train Production and Maintenance teams in proper use of equipment and troubleshooting from the HMI.

Skills

Controls engineering

Electrical engineering

Safety standards

IEC 61131-3

PLC programming

HMI development

Robotics integration

Fieldbus networks

MES interfacing

Education

BS/MS Electrical Engineering

Tools

EPLAN

AutoCAD Electrical

FactoryTalk View

WinCC

Ignition

Wonderware

TwinCAT HMI

Job description

Rivian in Normal, IL seeks an Automation Controls Engineer for Equipment Engineering to be the production line expert for controls. This role emphasizes PLC programming, HMI, MES integration, and safety systems across multiple production areas, with responsibility for upgrades and configuration changes.

You will collaborate with engineers on future changes and support a fast-paced manufacturing environment.