Controls Engineer

Company: Target Metal Blanking (TMB)

Department: Manufacturing

Reports To: Plant Manager

Location: New Boston, Michigan

Employment Type: Full-Time

Target Metal Blanking, part of the Target Steel family of companies, is a proud family-owned network of businesses, united by a shared commitment to excellence in steel processing, distribution, and logistics that services the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. With three facilities, and a team driven by honesty, integrity, and determination, we deliver tailored solutions to meet all our customers’ metal needs.

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain the automation and control systems for our slitting and blanking lines. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of high-speed coil processing equipment, including slitters, blanking presses, shears, coil handling systems, and associated material handling automation. The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with PLC programming, motion control, and drive systems in a metal-forming or coil-processing environment.

• Design, program, and commission PLC/HMI control systems for slitting lines, blanking lines, levelers, shears, and coil-processing equipment (uncoilers, recoilers, tensioners, loopers, feeders, presses).
• Develop and optimize motion control and synchronization logic for servo/VFD-driven axes (e.g., feed length, registration, tension control, knife positioning).
• Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automation issues on the production floor to minimize downtime and maximize throughput.
• Maintain and improve control system architecture, including PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, etc.), HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, sensors, and safety systems.
• Collaborate with maintenance teams on new equipment installations, retrofits, and line upgrades.
• Implement and maintain machine safety systems (light curtains, e-stops, interlocks) in compliance with OSHA and ANSI standards.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics, control narratives, and technical documentation for all controlled equipment.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives (OEE, cycle time reduction, scrap reduction) through data collection and control system enhancements.
• Program and integrate quality/gauging systems (thickness, width, camber, flatness monitoring) where applicable.
• Program, integrate, and maintain laser-based systems used in cutting, blanking, scribing, and measurement/gauging applications (e.g., laser cutting heads, laser distance/edge sensors, laser marking systems).
• Ensure proper interlocking, calibration, and safety compliance (Class 1-4 laser safety standards, IEC 60825, ANSI Z136) for laser-equipped equipment.
• Provide training and technical support to operators, maintenance technicians, and production staff on control system operation and basic troubleshooting.
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action for equipment failures and process deviations.
• Manage or support capital projects involving new slitting/blanking equipment, including vendor coordination, FAT/SAT testing, and startup.
• Maintain compliance with electrical codes (NEC/NFPA 79) and company safety standards.
• Provide on-call, off-shift, and other manufacturing site support as needed for critical production issues.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 3+ years of controls engineering experience in a metal processing, coil handling, stamping, or high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming…