Senior Automation Controls Engineer

La-Z-Boy • Monroe, MI

2d

About The Position

This position is responsible for designing, developing, implementing, and optimizing automated manufacturing systems across La-Z-Boy operations. It provides technical leadership primarily in controls engineering, as well as mechanical, robotics, machine integration, and digital manufacturing initiatives, to improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance. The role partners with safety, manufacturing, maintenance, quality, IT, and external suppliers to deliver reliable automation solutions that support manufacturing modernization, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

The engineer specifies, designs, executes, and tracks new automation manufacturing equipment, collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement first-of-kind automation. The position leads automation and capital equipment projects from concept through commissioning and production launch, provides advanced troubleshooting and permanent corrective actions, and champions controls standardization across facilities. It also serves as a controls engineering subject matter expert and mentors engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel. There are no direct reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related technical field, with 8–10 years of experience in industrial controls, automation engineering, and manufacturing systems, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, and machine controls.
• Ability to meet the qualifications in the company’s Driver Management Program if travel or driving is required for the role.
• Ability to perform the stated physical activities, including frequent sitting, repetitive hand motion, hearing, listening, talking, standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, crawling, reaching overhead, pushing/pulling, and lifting up to 30 pounds; seldom-required activities include climbing ladders, kneeling, squatting, crouching, balancing, and lifting over 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience in furniture, consumer goods, automotive, or high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience with Industry 4.0, IIoT, MES, and digital transformation initiatives.
• SolidWorks 3D and/or AutoCAD experience developing mechanical parts, systems, and facility drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls architecture development for new automation and capital equipment projects.
• Design, develop, program, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion control, and industrial network systems.
• Create and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, network diagrams, and technical standards.
• Develop and troubleshoot automation systems using platforms such as Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley), Siemens, Omron, Beckhoff, and Ignition SCADA.
• Integrate robotics, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, and automated material handling equipment.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings, seminars, vendor trips, and training to investigate and evaluate technology advancements and equipment developments.
• Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and production launch.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, budgets, and implementation schedules.
• Manage automation vendors, system integrators, and contractors.
• Ensure projects meet safety, quality, performance, and financial objectives.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting support for new automated production equipment and controls systems.
• Analyze recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Improve machine uptime, throughput, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Identify opportunities to reduce labor content through automation and process improvements.
• Support manufacturing modernization initiatives.
• Use data collection and analytics tools to drive performance improvements.
• Champion standardization of controls hardware, software, and engineering practices across facilities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in controls engineering and automation technologies.
• Mentor controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Travel up to 25% or as required to support projects.

Benefits

• Medical insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Basic life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match of up to 6%.
• 9–11 paid holidays each year.
• Two weeks’ prorated vacation as a new hire.
• Personal time for non-exempt employees or state-mandated sick time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior