Challenge Manufacturing Company - Pontiac, MI
posted 6 months ago
About the position
As an Automation Engineer at Challenge, you will play a pivotal role in our mission to manufacture with operational excellence. Your primary focus will be on industrial automation, particularly in PLC systems, communications architecture, and integration with robotics and databases using the Ignition Platform. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and factory managers to ensure that our automation systems are efficient, reliable, and innovative. Your expertise in manufacturing assembly systems and mechatronics will be essential in driving continuous improvement projects and mentoring production teams in troubleshooting and optimizing automated lines. In this role, you will be responsible for generating, maintaining, and documenting company standards for HMI programs, PLC programs for various automation components, and electrical schematics. You will lead controls design, conduct reviews, and oversee buyoffs for new equipment. Your ability to conceptualize and implement continuous improvement projects will be crucial in enhancing our manufacturing processes. You will also support and mentor production teams in troubleshooting complex equipment failures and optimizing automated lines, ensuring that our operations run smoothly and efficiently. This position is based at our plant in Pontiac, MI, and operates on a standard schedule from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. You will be part of a team that values safety, ownership, and teamwork, and you will have the opportunity to contribute to our success as one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America.
Responsibilities
- Generate, maintain and document company standards for HMI programs Panel View and Ignition
- Develop PLC programs for robots, servos, drives, and vision systems using AOIs and UDTs
- Create and maintain electrical schematics
- Lead controls design, review, and buyoffs for new equipment
- Conceptualize continuous improvement projects
- Support and mentor production teams in troubleshooting difficult equipment failures
- Assist in projects and installations
- Optimize automated lines for efficiency
Requirements
- 3+ years of experience as a hands-on Automation & Control Engineer or Robotics Engineer
- Proficient in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and configuration, specifically with Allen-Bradley platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix)
- Proficient in HMI programming, troubleshooting, and configuration, preferably with Allen-Bradley FactoryTalk View & Ignition SCADA
- Experience with robot programming (Fanuc, ABB), including backup and restoration
- Familiarity with vision systems (Keyence, Banner, Cognex, Datalogic, Fanuc Vision) is a plus
- Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for developing electrical schematics is a plus
- Experience deploying equipment to high volume manufacturing is a plus
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with experience presenting technical programs
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Banner, Cognex, Datalogic, Fanuc Vision)
- Familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical for developing electrical schematics
- Experience deploying equipment to high volume manufacturing
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Company-paid Short-Term Disability
- Basic Life insurance
- Voluntary Life insurance
- Long-Term Disability insurance
- Employer 401k Match
- ESOP shares
- Tuition reimbursement
- Referral Bonus Program
- Challenge Incentive Program
- Paid time off
