Job DescriptionWe are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we're all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves?
In this position... Ford Motor Company is a global leader in automotive manufacturing, committed to creating innovative and sustainable transportation solutions. As part of this unwavering commitment, Ford is spearheading the electrification revolution, transforming the future of mobility. BlueOval SK is a landmark joint venture between Ford and SK On, established to produce advanced battery cells and arrays crucial for powering the next generation of Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles. This strategic partnership is at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing, building a robust, vertically integrated North American battery supply chain. This position provides a great opportunity to lead Ford's journey to lead electrification revolution.
The Battery Manufacturing Engineering (BME) team within BlueOval SK (BOSK) plays a pivotal role in designing, developing, optimizing, and implementing the cutting-edge manufacturing processes and equipment that bring these innovative battery technologies to life. We are building the future, cell by cell.
Job Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Industrial Controls Engineer to join our Battery Manufacturing Engineering (BME) team at the BlueOval SK Battery Plant. In this critical role, you will be instrumental in the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated control systems that drive our state-of-the-art battery manufacturing processes. You will work with complex, high-volume production lines, ensuring efficiency, reliability, safety, and quality from concept to commissioning and beyond. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the foundational automation infrastructure of a massive, greenfield manufacturing operation at the heart of the electric vehicle revolution.
ResponsibilitiesWhat you'll do... - Control System Design & Development:
- Design, program, and test PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) logic for new and existing manufacturing equipment, primarily using Mitsubishi MELSOFT GX Works3 and/or Siemens TIA Portal.
- Develop and implement Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications for intuitive operator control and data visualization.
- Configure and integrate industrial networks (e.g., CCLink, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP) to ensure seamless communication between devices and systems.
- System Implementation & Commissioning:
- Oversee the installation, wiring, and commissioning of control panels, field devices, and automation equipment.
- Conduct rigorous testing, validation, and debugging of control systems during factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and production startup phases.
- Collaborate with mechanical engineers, process engineers, and vendors to ensure proper integration and functionality of all automated systems.
- Troubleshooting & Support:
- Provide expert technical support to maintenance and operations teams, diagnosing and resolving complex control system issues quickly to minimize downtime.
- Perform root cause analysis for equipment failures and process deviations related to control systems.
- Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
- Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost reduction through automation enhancements.
- Develop and implement control strategies for new processes and equipment, ensuring robust and scalable solutions.
- Stay abreast of emerging technologies in industrial automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0/IIoT, recommending and integrating relevant advancements.
- Standards & Documentation:
- Ensure all control system designs and implementations comply with relevant safety standards (e.g., OSHA, NFPA 79, NEC, ISO 13849), quality standards, and company specifications.
- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including electrical schematics, PLC programs, HMI screens, network diagrams, and control narratives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including process engineering, mechanical engineering, IT, operations, and external vendors, to achieve project goals.
- Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and project planning meetings.
QualificationsYou'll have... - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of experience in industrial controls systems design, development, programming, and commissioning within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven proficiency in PLC programming with at least one major platform (e.g., Mitsubishi MELSOFT GX Works3, Siemens TIA Portal).
- Experience with HMI/SCADA development.
- Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (e.g., CC-Link, CC-Link IE, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP).
- Knowledge of industrial safety standards and machine safeguarding principles.
- Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics and P&IDs.
- Demonstrated problem-solving/troubleshooting skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.
- Individual must be a team player and willing to take a leadership role in a project setting
- Strong computer skills (MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, AutoCAD)
- Self-starting (learner and growth mindset), self-directed with extremely good influential, organizational, and interpersonal skills
- Strong manufacturing background with heavy emphasis on production related controls experience
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to a dynamic JV working environment, working with international JV Partner and diverse team
Even better, you may have... - Project Management experience or certification (e.g., PMP).
- Automation design knowledge/experience ASRS Systems, part and process tracking systems (FIS or related), etc.
- Set-Up and Troubleshooting experience with Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
- Experience in Manufacturing Engineering
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Experience in battery manufacturing, automotive manufacturing, or other high-volume, continuous process industries.
- Specific experience with Mitsubishi MELSOFT GX Works3 and/or Siemens TIA Portal.
- Experience with robotics programming (e.g., KUKA, Fanuc, ABB).
- Familiarity with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) integration.
- Knowledge of data acquisition, analysis, and industrial IoT (IIoT) concepts.
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder...or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
- Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
- Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- 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
- A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year's Day
- Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here
This position is a range of salary grades 6 - 8 .
Visa sponsorship is available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.
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