Sr. Controls Engineer #26818

Blue Chip Talent; Livonia (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Blue Chip Talent, in partnership with a manufacturing organization, seeks a skilled Controls Engineer – MES & Digitalization to advance plant-wide digitalization initiatives, integrate equipment with MES and data systems, and develop solutions that improve machine connectivity and operational visibility.

The ideal candidate combines hands-on PLC programming with knowledge of manufacturing data collection, SQL, and industrial automation technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years PLC and HMI programming experience.
• Experience with industrial automation systems and MES technologies.
• Experience with data collection, machine connectivity, or MES data integration.
• Working knowledge of SQL, relational databases, and data flows.
• Experience with sensors, I/O, and controls hardware.
• Experience with dashboards and KPI reporting.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical schematics.
• Experience with MES platforms and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
• Knowledge of OPC/OPC UA, industrial Ethernet, and PLC-to-database communication.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA and/or Power BI.
• Proficiency in Python or related data processing language.
• Experience building manufacturing databases and automated data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement plant-wide automation, MES, and Industry 4.0 digitalization initiatives
• Integrate equipment, PLCs, and sensors with plant data systems using OPC servers
• Program and modify PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and automation sequences
• Design and maintain SQL queries, databases, and data flows
• Create and optimize dashboards and KPI visualizations (Ignition/Power BI)
• Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting
• Interpret electrical schematics and integrate controls hardware and sensors
• Evaluate opportunities and develop roadmaps for digitalization projects

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial automation

SQL data collection

Dashboards (Ignition/Power BI)

Python or data processing

Electrical schematics reading

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

OPC UA

Ignition SCADA

Power BI

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Blue Chip Talent, in partnership with a manufacturing organization, is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer – MES & Digitalization. This role advances plant-wide digitalization initiatives, integrates manufacturing equipment with MES and data systems, and develops solutions that improve machine connectivity and operational visibility. The ideal candidate combines hands‑on PLC programming experience with knowledge of manufacturing data collection, SQL, and industrial automation technologies.

Job Duties

• Develop and implement plant-wide automation, MES, and Industry 4.0 digitalization initiatives
• Integrate manufacturing equipment, PLCs, and sensors with plant data systems using OPC servers and industrial networking technologies
• Program and modify PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and automation sequences to enable machine connectivity and data acquisition
• Design and maintain SQL queries, databases, and data flows to capture machine uptime, downtime, faults, quality, and process metrics
• Create and optimize manufacturing dashboards and KPI visualizations using tools such as Ignition and Power BI
• Support equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and controls troubleshooting
• Interpret electrical schematics and integrate controls hardware, sensors, and I/O modules for process monitoring
• Evaluate automation opportunities and develop technical roadmaps for future manufacturing digitalization projects

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Electro‑Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent technical experience
• 3+ years of hands‑on PLC and HMI programming, modification, and troubleshooting experience
• Experience with industrial automation systems and automated manufacturing equipment
• Experience with manufacturing data collection, machine connectivity, or MES technologies
• Working knowledge of SQL, relational databases, and manufacturing data integration
• Experience with industrial controls hardware, sensors, I/O modules, and equipment interfaces
• Experience with data visualization tools, industrial dashboards, or manufacturing KPI reporting
• Ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot electrical schematics
• Experience implementing or supporting MES platforms and Industry 4.0 initiatives
• Knowledge of OPC/OPC UA, industrial Ethernet, and PLC‑to‑database communication
• Experience with Ignition SCADA/MES platforms and/or Microsoft Power BI
• Proficiency in Python or other programming languages used for data processing and automation
• Experience developing manufacturing databases, SQL queries, and automated data pipelines
• Familiarity with machine vision systems and industrial inspection technologies
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or similar electrical design software
• Experience with equipment commissioning, systems integration, and manufacturing process optimization

Blue Chip Talent is an award‑winning and woman‑owned talent solutions provider based out of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. For over 30 years, we’ve specialized in IT, Engineering, and Professional Services staffing—now serving clients in 37 states and counting. We connect the market's elite talent with top employers, pairing exceptional white‑glove service with proven hiring results to drive innovation and fuel growth.