Senior Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer Manager

Auburn Hills, MI

The Controls Engineer Manager is responsible for providing advanced controls engineering and technical oversight within a manufacturing environment. This role exercises a high degree of independent judgment, strategic thinking, and technical authority to support plant performance, safety, quality, cost, and throughput objectives. This role drives capital projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and new model launch while ensuring long‑term reliability and cost‑effective maintenance of plant systems.

• Responsible for implementation of projects from technical specification to startup support to implementation.
• Leadership role responsible for technical design, project coordination, and supervision of the controls team. The position supports senior leadership while leading the integration, testing, and installation of advanced machine tools and automation systems.
• Supervise and mentor a small team of controls engineers, ensuring project timelines and quality standards are met.
• Design and develop all aspects of electrical control systems, equipment, and programming using Lear Corporation standards and build upon with innovative ideas.
• Oversee controls hardware and software design for complex machine systems, collaborating with electrical and mechanical teams.
• Support implementation of proven and newly developed advanced automation.
• Develop and implement PLC logic, HMI interfaces, and motion control integration (Siemens and/or Allen Bradley).
• Document and use existing control standards to develop requirements for automated cells.
• Manage controls engineering workload, project assignments, and staffing resources to ensure timely completion of projects and support activities.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, establish development plans, and hold team members accountable for results and continuous improvement.

• Expert in (RS Logix 500, RS Logix 5000, Factory Talk HMI, Baluff I/O link, programming).
• Fanuc Programming or basic understanding with Robotics.
• Understand and communicate applicable safety standards: general industry (OSHA 1910), machine guarding, robot safety (ANSI/RIA 15.06), automated vehicles, conveyor safety.
• Supporting member of Risk Assessments on all automated equipment.
• Auto CAD Experience.
• Ability to read electrical drawings.
• Coordinate and manage controls systems.
• Communication with external manufacturing system /MES.
• Atlas Copco Tools Talk programming and interface with torque tools.
• Experience with controls and programming servo driven equipment.
• Basic experience with Vision systems to guide robot – offsets.
• Develop & Completion of Automation risk assessments.
• Knowledgeable in MS‑Office.
• Strong leadership, and communication skills.

• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV/AMR) experience.
• Mentor and Train plant controls engineers and support production as needed.
• Communicate across cross functional groups.
• Support Kaizen, Improvement walks, and Error proofing projects.
• Willingness to work any shift and support off-shift production, shutdowns, and launch activities.

Lear Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workplace.