Controls Implementation Engineer

About the Role

As part of the Automation and Controls Engineering manufacturing team, you will help build world-class, state-of-the-art smart vehicles. The role involves supporting controls activities from equipment design through installation, commissioning, launch, and final acceptance. You will be instrumental in finding better and more efficient ways to manufacture vehicles by developing new technologies and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support controls activities from equipment design through installation, commissioning, launch, and final acceptance.
• Review supplier controls designs, programs, architectures, and documentation.
• Support equipment power-on, I/O checkout, sequence validation, dry-cycle, production trials, and launch.
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI applications.
• Support FANUC robot integration and troubleshooting, including robot-to-PLC interfaces and DCS.
• Troubleshoot industrial networks and equipment communication issues.
• Support integration of drives, sensors, safety devices, vision systems, fastening systems, and other manufacturing devices.
• Validate machine safety systems and safe operating conditions.
• Support error proofing and process verification.
• Troubleshoot equipment in automatic, manual, recovery, restart, and fault conditions.
• Drive controls-related issues to closure with suppliers and cross-functional teams.
• Support equipment supplier buyoffs and plant acceptance.
• Ensure controls implementation and documentation meet applicable Ford/VO standards.
• Provide technical support during installation, commissioning, and launch as required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline, or equivalent relevant controls/automation experience.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial PLC-based automation systems.
• Experience with automated equipment commissioning.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical controls, safety systems, and networks.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical drawings and control schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause-analysis skills.
• Ability to work effectively with equipment suppliers, plant personnel, and cross-functional engineering teams.

Even Better, You May Have

• Automotive or high-volume manufacturing experience.
• Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI experience.
• FANUC robot programming and troubleshooting experience.
• FANUC DCS experience or certification.
• Machine safety programming and validation experience.
• TÜV Functional Safety certification or equivalent safety training.
• Industrial Ethernet/network experience.
• Vision systems, torque/rundown systems, drives, scanners, and intelligent device integration.
• Error-proofing/poka-yoke experience.
• Equipment launch, installation, commissioning, and production-support experience.

This position is hybrid with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week.