Controls Project Engineer - Automation & Controls Systems

Job Description

Controls Project Engineer – Automation & Controls Systems

We are seeking an experienced Controls Project Engineer with a strong background in control systems design, automation engineering, and project management. This role plays a pivotal part in delivering high-performance hardware and software controls solutions on time, within budget, and aligned with industry standards.

The ideal candidate will have deep experience in industrial automation, PLC programming, and systems integration, along with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders across engineering disciplines, vendors, and clients. This position combines hands-on technical leadership with cross-functional coordination to ensure successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and coordinate controls engineering teams, third-party system integrators, and equipment suppliers to ensure technical alignment and on-time execution.

Conduct technical reviews, perform risk assessments, and facilitate project meetings to identify and address potential obstacles.

Serve as the main technical contact for all automation control systems throughout the project lifecycle.

Oversee change management, resolve technical issues, and maintain clear communication among all stakeholders.

Deliver regular project status reports to internal leadership and external partners.

Maintain and organize all technical documentation for controls systems.

Apply knowledge of industrial electrical systems, pneumatic systems, and water systems in control system design.

Perform calculations related to electrical load, fluid dynamics, and compressed air systems.

Design electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems using AutoCAD or equivalent design software.

Experience with welding technology integration is a plus.

Interpret and apply customer-specific standards in controls design projects.

Read and troubleshoot PLC logic (e.g., Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text).

Interface effectively with mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, shop technicians, and client teams.

Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining organization and prioritization.

Use Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for project coordination and documentation.

Demonstrate awareness of and compliance with safety regulations and environmental standards.

Participate in the Quality Management System and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Exhibit a professional demeanor with strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications:

7+ years of experience in automation engineering, controls design, or systems integration, or equivalent education and experience.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS), or Mechanical Engineering (ME).

Automotive manufacturing experience is a plus.

Job Location:

Sterling Heights, MI 48314

Controls Project Engineer, control systems design, automation engineering, project management, hardware and software controls, industrial automation, PLC programming, systems integration, technical leadership, controls engineering, system integrators, equipment suppliers, technical reviews, risk assessments, project meetings, automation control systems, change management, technical issues, project status reports, technical documentation, industrial electrical systems, pneumatic systems, water systems, electrical load, fluid dynamics, compressed air, AutoCAD, welding technology integration, customer-specific standards, PLC logic, Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, shop technicians, client teams, multiple concurrent projects, Microsoft Office Suite, safety regulations, environmental standards, Quality Management System, continuous improvement, interpersonal, written, verbal communication skills, 7+ years of experience, Bachelor’s degree, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, automotive manufacturingCompany Description

Flex is a leading engineering firm dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions.

Full-time