Junior Controls Engineer

About the Role

Gotion Inc. is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL. This role is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment and production processes in a fast-paced battery manufacturing environment. The Junior Controls Engineer will work closely with experienced engineers, maintenance technicians, and production teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production processes.
• Help monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment and process issues.
• Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and industrial automation equipment.
• Assist with equipment startups, commissioning activities, and production line qualifications.
• Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve manufacturing and equipment issues.
• Help create and maintain technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, quality enhancement, and waste reduction.
• Work with maintenance personnel to diagnose and resolve electrical and control system issues.
• Assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting to support manufacturing performance improvements.
• Participate in automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 projects as assigned.
• Provide training support to production personnel on equipment operation and process changes.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Internship, co-op, academic project, or up to 2 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, controls, or a related engineering field.
• Basic understanding of PLC programming and industrial control systems.
• Understanding of electrical schematics, sensors, motors, and industrial equipment.
• Basic knowledge of troubleshooting methodologies and problem-solving techniques.
• Interest in robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or project experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with robotics, automation, or controls-related coursework.
• Familiarity with Siemens PLCs, Allen-Bradley PLCs, or similar automation platforms is a plus.
• Exposure to HMI systems and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profinet is preferred.
• Familiarity with data analysis and continuous improvement concepts.
• Strong desire to learn and grow within a manufacturing engineering organization.