Manufacturing Network and Controls Engineer

Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics • Livonia, MI

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About The Position

Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics is seeking a Manufacturing Network and Controls Engineer to support an automotive manufacturing client. The role focuses on the upfront design, development, and validation of automation and IIoT systems before deployment in production environments. The engineer will bridge controls engineering and industrial networking, collaborating with the client’s R&D engineers and internal technical teams to prototype, document, and validate architectures connecting automation hardware, PLCs, edge devices, and network infrastructure.

Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in automotive manufacturing; R&D, pilot plant, or advanced manufacturing development experience is ideal.
• Background in controls engineering or industrial networking (IIoT); experience with both is highly valued.
• Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and/or Codesys PLC and control systems.
• Working knowledge of Cisco and Siemens networking hardware, configuration, and industrial communication principles.
• Fundamental understanding of network topology design, segmentation, VLANs, and device-level networking in industrial environments.
• Familiarity with edge computing, data gateways, and OT-to-IT integration concepts.
• Light programming or scripting skills, such as ladder logic, structured text, or Python.
• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills for cross-functional and client-facing collaboration.
• If not a U.S. citizen, must be able to become legally authorized to work in the United States; employment eligibility verification is required at hire. The employer does not offer H-1B visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP, MQTT, or OPC UA protocols.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity frameworks such as ISA/IEC 62443.
• Exposure to virtualization, digital twin, or simulation environments.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the client’s R&D and engineering teams to design and prototype Manufacturing Private Networks (MPNs) and Controls Private Networks (CPNs) for new automation concepts.
• Develop and test controls and communication architectures using Rockwell, Siemens, and Codesys technologies.
• Configure and evaluate Siemens and Cisco networking hardware for plant-floor communication and edge connectivity.
• Contribute to the design and validation of edge computing and device management solutions for IIoT applications.
• Prototype and document network topologies and data flow among PLCs, edge devices, and enterprise systems.
• Support the definition of industrial networking standards, best practices, and cybersecurity considerations for future deployments.
• Perform light programming or scripting for automation tasks, testing, and proof-of-concept development.
• Provide documentation, testing feedback, and technical recommendations to internal and client stakeholders.

Benefits

• Health care plan (medical, dental, and vision)
• Retirement plan (401k)
• Life insurance (basic, voluntary, and AD&D)
• Paid time off (vacation and sick)
• Paid holidays
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Training and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed