Senior Automation Engineer

Astemo Rock Spring, Inc. was established in 2000 and supplies aluminum knuckles to Honda and Subaru. We are in Rock Spring, GA, and operate on 3 shifts with 400 employees. We have three main manufacturing departments, Casting, Machining, and Press Assembly. We are part of Astemo, Inc. with 90,000 employees worldwide.

The Electrical & Controls Engineer is responsible for supporting, designing, and improving electrical and automated control systems within a highly automated automotive manufacturing facility. This role combines project planning, system implementation, hands‑on troubleshooting, and technical training to maintain high equipment reliability and production efficiency. The engineer works closely with production, quality, maintenance, and engineering teams to support robotics, PLC‑controlled equipment, automated manufacturing lines, and industrial networks while driving continuous improvement initiatives across the plant.

When accomplishing tasks, remember to work toward meeting overall company goals established which include: OSHA safety compliance, ISO 14001 Environmental Compliance, Ethical & Legal compliance, Customer Quality, Production to Plan, and Delivery Performance.

• Design, program, maintain, and improve PLC‑based control systems used in automated manufacturing processes.
• Support and optimize robotic systems, automated assembly lines, material handling equipment, and process automation.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics, PLC documentation, and control system standards.
• Integrate new equipment and automation technologies into existing production systems.
• Ensure compliance with plant automation standards and electrical codes.

• Plan and lead electrical and automation projects including equipment upgrades, line modifications, and new production installations.
• Support equipment launches and production line startups.
• Work with vendors, integrators, and contractors to implement automation solutions.
• Establish and manage project timelines and budgets, while providing timely updates to management on progress, risks, opportunities, and overall performance.

• Provide hands‑on troubleshooting of electrical and automation issues affecting production.
• Diagnose and resolve problems involving sensors and vision systems – Keyence, Omron, Turk.
• Resolve issues with servo drives and VFDs.
• Work with maintenance technicians to quickly restore equipment functionality during production downtime.
• Conduct root cause analysis of equipment failures and implement permanent corrective solutions.

• Support robotic systems used in production and material handling operations.
• Troubleshoot robot communication with PLCs and automation equipment.
• Assist with robot programming, system adjustments, and integration with automated cells.
• Support safety systems including light curtains, safety PLCs, and interlock circuits.

• Train maintenance technicians on electrical troubleshooting, PLC diagnostics, and automation systems.
• Develop training materials and technical documentation for automated equipment.
• Mentor technicians to improve their understanding of robotics, sensors, and control systems.
• Promote best practices in electrical safety and automation maintenance.

• Promote and enforce a safety‑first culture, ensuring adherence to safety guidelines, procedures, and regulations.
• Implement and maintain stringent environmental practices that align with relevant standards and regulations.

• Establish and maintain robust quality control processes for maintenance activities, ensuring adherence to quality standards and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance teams to identify opportunities for quality enhancement within the maintenance department.

• Coordinate maintenance schedules effectively to minimize disruption to production activities and meet production goals.
• Work collaboratively with production teams to prioritize maintenance tasks based on criticality, ensuring on‑time completion and optimal…