Controls Engineer

Optimal Inc.

$70K — $95K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering
  • 2-4 years of experience
  • Strong PLC troubleshooting experience with Siemens and Allen-Bradley controls
  • Ability to read and interpret PLC logic and diagnose automation faults
  • Experience with Fanuc Robots and automated material handling systems

Responsibilities

  • Respond to issues from previous shifts and support troubleshooting of automated equipment
  • Assist maintenance teams with equipment breakdowns and automation faults
  • Utilize PLCs for troubleshooting and fault diagnosis
  • Troubleshoot Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and related systems
  • Document troubleshooting activities and continuous improvement opportunities
  • Partner with teams to identify additional opportunities for automation
  • Create and maintain automation documentation and project records

Benefits

  • Receive specialized training on AMR and fleet management technologies
  • Be part of a small, highly visible engineering team
  • Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for material movement and robotics
  • Engage with emerging Industry 4.0 technologies
  • Work primarily on the factory floor with minimal desk time
Full Job Description
Position Summary:

This Controls Engineer position supports a machine-intensive, high-volume production environment within a small, specialized engineering team responsible for the rollout and support of next-generation manufacturing technologies. The team will serve as the plant Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for new Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and fleet management systems being introduced to improve material flow and production efficiency.

This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working hands-on with automation, troubleshooting equipment on the production floor, and learning emerging technologies. Employees will receive training on the new AMR platforms and fleet management software and will play a critical role in deploying, optimizing, and supporting these systems throughout the facility.

Job Responsibilities:
  • Respond to carry-over issues from previous shifts and support troubleshooting efforts for automated manufacturing equipment.
  • Assist maintenance and operations teams with equipment breakdowns, automation faults, and production interruptions.
  • Utilize PLCs (Allen Bradley and Siemens) primarily for troubleshooting and fault diagnosis.
  • Review and interpret controls logic to identify root causes of equipment and automation issues.
  • Troubleshoot Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), including routing, navigation, communication, and material delivery interruptions.
  • Support AMR fleet management software and related systems to ensure reliable transportation of materials throughout the facility.
  • Work closely with production, maintenance, and materials teams to maintain uptime and achieve production targets.
  • Document troubleshooting activities, corrective actions, and continuous improvement opportunities.
  • Partner with materials, logistics, production, and maintenance teams to identify additional opportunities for automation and robotic integration.
  • Assist with AMR and Cobot commissioning activities, startup support, validation testing, and production launch efforts.
  • Contribute to capital projects involving advanced automation, automated material handling systems, robotics, and smart factory initiatives.
  • Create and maintain automation documentation, process flows, operating procedures, and project records.

Why This Role Is Unique
Join a small, highly visible engineering team supporting one of the plant's newest automation initiatives.
Receive specialized training on cutting-edge AMR and fleet management technologies.
Become a plant Subject Matter Expert (SME) for autonomous material movement and robotics.
Play a direct role in modernizing manufacturing operations and shaping how materials are moved throughout the facility.
Work with emerging Industry 4.0 technologies within a Fortune 100 manufacturing environment.

Focus will be GPS - Engine Assembly and Machining

Siemens PLC, HMI, Rockwell Global Common
Cameras - Cognex AI, Dalsa, Matrox
Fanuc Robot/Cobot
AMR OTTO and Bastian Auto Fork Truck
Procurement and implementation of new equipment.
High focus on factory floor and supporting production and maintenance.
Not a desk job; 80-90% on floor.

Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering
2-4 years of experience

Top Skills:

PLC Troubleshooting & Controls Systems Expertise
  • Strong troubleshooting experience with Siemens PLCs and Allen-Bradley/Rockwell controls
  • Ability to read, interpret, and diagnose PLC logic, automation faults, and production equipment issues
  • Experience supporting HMIs and manufacturing controls systems in a high-volume production environment

Industrial Automation & Robotics
  • Experience supporting and troubleshooting Fanuc Robots/Cobots
  • Knowledge of automated material handling systems and robotic integration
  • Exposure to automation commissioning, startup support, validation, and production launches

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) & Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  • Experience with strong aptitude to support AMRs, fleet management systems, and automated material movement
  • Understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies, automated logistics, and smart factory initiatives
  • Familiarity with systems such as OTTO AMRs, automated forklifts, or similar autonomous technologies is highly desirable

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