Senior Automation Controls Engineer
About The Position
This position is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and optimization of automated manufacturing systems across La-Z-Boy operations. This role provides technical leadership primarily in controls engineering, but also mechanical, robotics, machine integration, and digital manufacturing initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance. This position will partner with safety, manufacturing, maintenance, quality, IT, and external suppliers to deliver reliable automation solutions that support safety, modernizing manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement objectives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or 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.
Nice To Haves
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Experience within 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 utilizing industry-standard platforms such as: Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley), Siemens, Omron, Beckhoff, Ignition SCADA.
- Integrate robotics, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, and automated material handling equipment.
- Participates in cross functional meetings, seminars, vendor trips, and training sessions to effectively investigate and evaluate new 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 automation 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 modernizing manufacturing initiatives.
- Utilize 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.
Benefits
- Medical, Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance
- 401k 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 (non-exempt only) or state mandated sick time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
