Controls Engineer - Body
About The Position
Slate is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer – Body to support the launch and ongoing operation of automated manufacturing systems at the Warsaw Assembly Plant. This hands-on role requires strong Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning skills. The engineer will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, IT, and equipment integrators to ensure safe, reliable equipment operation and improve production performance. The role supports controls and automation for the Body Department, including optimizing PLC, HMI, and equipment control systems; supporting automated equipment, tooling, conveyors, and material handling; and contributing to equipment design reviews, commissioning, validation builds, and launch or model-year changes. Responsibilities also include coordinating integration and modifications, validating safety circuits and interlocks, supporting industrial networks and MES integration, maintaining process controls and traceability, analyzing faults and process data, and documenting control system changes.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Electronics, Controls, Automation, or Mechatronics Engineering.
- At least 6 years of hands-on experience in manufacturing controls and automation.
- Hands-on experience programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning Allen-Bradley PLCs and safety controllers using Studio 5000, and HMIs using FactoryTalk View.
- Proficiency in Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix, GuardLogix, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk View.
- Experience integrating robots, welding systems, conveyors, and inspection equipment.
- Experience supporting equipment commissioning, production launches, and modifications with suppliers and integrators.
- Strong understanding of equipment sequencing, fault diagnostics, recovery, cycle time optimization, and OEE.
- Working knowledge of EtherNet/IP networks and industrial device integration.
- Understanding of machine safety, safety interlocks, and safe equipment operation.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, network diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Working knowledge of robot interfaces, MES integration, and production traceability.
- Strong root cause analysis, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and lead technical discussions.
- Ability to work on the production floor more than 50% of the time.
- Flexibility to support additional controls and automation responsibilities as needed.
- Must be willing to relocate to Warsaw, Indiana.
Nice To Haves
- Technical training in PLCs, robotics, industrial networks, or machine safety.
- Automotive Body manufacturing experience.
- Siemens PLC/HMI experience.
Responsibilities
- Resolve controls, automation, and equipment issues affecting the Body Department.
- Develop and optimize PLC, HMI, and equipment control systems to improve safety, quality, cycle time, and reliability.
- Support automated equipment, tooling, conveyors, and material handling through control logic and system integration.
- Review control sequences and equipment risks, analyze process data, and implement improvements.
- Support equipment design reviews, commissioning, validation builds, production launches, and model-year changes.
- Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and equipment integrators to resolve issues and improve equipment performance.
- Coordinate control system integration, equipment modifications, and model change-over activities.
- Work with EHS and Engineering to validate safety circuits, interlocks, and equipment operating modes.
- Partner with IT to support industrial networks, production data collection, and MES integration.
- Follow Engineering standards and change management requirements.
- Implement and maintain process interlocks, error-proofing, parameter monitoring, and traceability.
- Monitor process indicators and address controls-related deviations to prevent defects.
- Support integration and validation of automated inspection and process control systems.
- Analyze equipment data and recurring faults to support root cause analysis and performance improvements.
- Maintain program backups, electrical schematics, network documentation, and equipment recovery procedures.
- Document and validate control system changes.
Benefits
- Relocation assistance will be provided.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
