Controls Engineering Manager

Electrical Controls Engineering Manager? West Michigan (Relocation Available)? Full-Time | Direct Hire? Minimal to No TravelA well-established custom automation and industrial systems integrator is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineering Manager to lead and support a growing controls engineering team. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys staying technical while guiding engineers through complex, customer-driven automation projects.

The company specializes in custom automated systems for automotive and truck manufacturing, including adhesive lines, bonding systems, and robotic automation.

Why This Role Stands Out Lead a team of Controls Engineers and Test Engineers Hands-on programming — not a desk-only management role Minimal to no travel

Flexible work schedule

Stable organization with ~100 employees

Strong, repeat customer base in automotive and truck manufacturing

What You’ll Be Doing Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Controls and Robot Engineers Oversee PLC, HMI, and robotic control system design for custom automation projects

Review and approve programs, safety layouts, schematics, and documentation

Act as the technical escalation point for complex automation challenges

Collaborate closely with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, and Sales Interface directly with customers on technical reviews and project execution

Ensure compliance with safety standards, quality requirements, and regulatory expectations

Technology EnvironmentPLCs:
Allen-Bradley (primary)
Robotics:
Fanuc (primary), some ABBAutomation Focus:

Adhesive and bonding systems

Automotive and truck body components

Robotic material handling and assembly

What We’re Looking For
10+ years of automation controls experience

Prior leadership or team-lead experience in a custom automation environment

Strong Allen-Bradley PLC programming background

Fanuc robot programming experience (ABB a plus)
Comfortable being hands-on when projects demand it Customer-facing experience and strong communication skills

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or equivalent experience

Reporting Structure Reports to the Managing Director, with direct visibility to executive leadership

Location & Relocation Preference for Midwest-based candidates

Relocation assistance is available

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. #inauto
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