Automation Controls Engineer

Location: Detroit, MI ONSITE | Direct Hire

Salary: $90-120K based on experience

Entech is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support a large, modern beverage manufacturing facility in the Detroit area. This is a key role responsible for maintaining, optimizing, and advancing automation across high-speed can and PET bottle production lines.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on controls expert who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, enjoys solving complex problems, and takes ownership of equipment performance, reliability, and continuous improvement.

You will serve as the facility’s primary technical resource for PLCs, HMIs, drives, line integration, automation troubleshooting, and new equipment commissioning.

• Program, maintain, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, and vision/inspection systems.

• Support automation across high-speed can and PET bottle lines, including fillers, seamers, cappers, pasteurizers, labelers, case packers, and palletizers.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for maintenance technicians on electrical and controls issues, including after-hours support.

• Lead root-cause analysis of equipment downtime and implement permanent corrective actions.

• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), throughput, line integration, and changeover efficiency.

• Support equipment installations, upgrades, commissioning, and capital projects.

• Coordinate with OEMs and system integrators, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

• Maintain electrical drawings, PLC backups, program version control, and critical spare-parts documentation.

• Develop and maintain production data collection systems to support operational reporting.

• Ensure machine safety systems, guarding, interlocks, and controls meet applicable OSHA and NFPA standards.

• Partner with production, maintenance, and quality teams to support GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements.

• Train operators and maintenance technicians on automation systems and troubleshooting.

• Provide controls engineering support to additional company facilities as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering, or an associate’s degree with equivalent hands-on experience.

• 5+ years of controls engineering or industrial automation experience in high-speed manufacturing.

• Experience in beverage, food, or packaging manufacturing strongly preferred.

• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting skills using Rockwell Studio 5000 (ControlLogix/CompactLogix).

• Working knowledge of Siemens TIA Portal.

• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms such as FactoryTalk View or Ignition.

• Knowledge of VFDs, servo systems, motion control, and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet).

• Ability to read and develop electrical schematics.

• Familiarity with NFPA 70E, NFPA 79, OSHA, and lockout/tagout procedures.

• Strong communication, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced production environment.

• Willingness to travel occasionally to other company facilities.

We’re looking for someone who brings more than technical expertise. The right person will demonstrate:

• Problem-Solving Mindset: Finds practical, cost-effective solutions and prioritizes technical improvements before recommending major capital investments.

• Sense of Urgency: Responds quickly, takes ownership, and understands the importance of keeping production running.

• Hands-On Leadership: Leads through action, stays close to the equipment, and is willing to perform meaningful technical work.

• Customer-Focused Approach: Works collaboratively with customers, visitors, and internal teams to ensure the facility operates at a high standard.

• Team-Oriented Attitude: Builds strong relationships, communicates effectively, and supports production, maintenance, and quality teams.

• Entrepreneurial Thinking: Thrives in a lean, privately held company environment where initiative, accountability, resourcefulness, and results matter.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of automation and controls at a major manufacturing facility, make a direct impact on production performance, and help establish best practices across multiple locations.

If you’re a hands-on Controls Engineer who enjoys solving problems, improving manufacturing operations, and working in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to connect!

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