Engineering Specialist- Controls

Ford • Dearborn, MI

3d • $72,480 - $162,120 • Onsite

About The Position

As part of Ford’s Manufacturing team, the Engineering Specialist, Controls helps plants and implementation teams resolve tooling, equipment, and conveyor performance issues and downtime. The role supports manufacturing efficiency and the production of Ford vehicles by identifying root causes, validating fixes, maintaining and programming controls equipment, and evaluating machinery and processes for improvements in quality, safety, and delivery.

The position involves programming and maintaining automation, machinery, material-handling systems, robots, vision systems, and industrial barcode printers. It also includes supporting equipment installations and engineering changes, maintaining software and program backups, assisting with equipment safety assessments, training manufacturing personnel and plant electricians, and handling controls-network PC and software maintenance. The role may require overtime and weekend work as needed.

This is a grade 6–8 position with a stated salary range of $72,480–$162,120. Visa sponsorship is not available. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 2 years of Controls Engineering experience; internship and co-op experience will be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Keyence or Cognex camera programming experience.
• Promess press experience.
• Electrical background as an electrician or technician.
• Familiarity with PLC/CNC systems (Siemens or Allen-Bradley), VFDs, servos, Profinet, and ABB and FANUC robots.
• Solid understanding of laser burning.
• Ability to read blueprints, modify electrical schematics, and use AutoCAD.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment and continuously evaluate processes for improvement.
• Experience with conveyor-system programming and overhead gantry systems.
• Solid understanding of networking, including DH+, Ethernet, and remote I/O.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma experience.
• Experience with Lean tools including 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, and Value Stream Mapping.
• Understanding of 8D, FMEA, and DMAIC processes.
• Familiarity with TQM and Kaizen methods.
• At least 1 year of experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• Knowledge of simulation modeling and visual factory management.

Responsibilities

• Lead problem solving to help plants and implementation teams resolve tooling, equipment, and conveyor performance issues and downtime.
• Coordinate resources to identify root causes and fixes, break problems into verifiable items, and determine appropriate validation methods.
• Set up and maintain industrial barcode printers.
• Design and implement vision control systems; work with different types of vision cameras and their programming software, and evaluate equipment for quality and delivery improvements.
• Use FIS plant monitoring software to review equipment cycle times and follow up on project installations.
• Reprogram equipment for engineering changes and improvements.
• Update machinery and automation program backups.
• Program new installations of automation, machinery, material handling, and robots.
• Participate in reviewing risk assessments and evaluating equipment safety.
• Assist in training manufacturing personnel and plant electricians.
• Read and modify electrical prints and schematics using AutoCAD.
• Maintain familiarity with OA and CPN/MPN networks and communication protocols for wired and wireless connections.
• Manage installation and maintenance of virus-protection software for controls-network PCs; perform PC backup disk images and install communication, firmware, and controls software.
• Work overtime and weekends as needed.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Established and active employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED