Industrial Controls Engineer

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Job Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Industrial Controls Engineer to join our Battery Manufacturing Engineering (BME) team at the BlueOval SK Battery Plant. In this critical role, you will be instrumental in the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated control systems that drive our state-of-the-art battery manufacturing processes. You will work with complex, high-volume production lines, ensuring efficiency, reliability, safety, and quality from concept to commissioning and beyond. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the foundational automation infrastructure of a massive, greenfield manufacturing operation at the heart of the electric vehicle revolution.

What you'll do…

• Control System Design & Development:
  • Design, program, and test PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) logic for new and existing manufacturing equipment, primarily using Mitsubishi MELSOFT GX Works3 and/or Siemens TIA Portal.
  • Develop and implement Human-Machine Interface (HMI) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications for intuitive operator control and data visualization.
  • Configure and integrate industrial networks (e.g., CCLink, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP) to ensure seamless communication between devices and systems.
• System Implementation & Commissioning:
  • Oversee the installation, wiring, and commissioning of control panels, field devices, and automation equipment.
  • Conduct rigorous testing, validation, and debugging of control systems during factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and production startup phases.
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineers, process engineers, and vendors to ensure proper integration and functionality of all automated systems.
• Troubleshooting & Support:
  • Provide expert technical support to maintenance and operations teams, diagnosing and resolving complex control system issues quickly to minimize downtime.
  • Perform root cause analysis for equipment failures and process deviations related to control systems.
• Optimization & Continuous Improvement:
  • Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization, efficiency improvements, and cost reduction through automation enhancements.
  • Develop and implement control strategies for new processes and equipment, ensuring robust and scalable solutions.
  • Stay abreast of emerging technologies in industrial automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0/IIoT, recommending and integrating relevant advancements.
• Standards & Documentation:
  • Ensure all control system designs and implementations comply with relevant safety standards (e.g., OSHA, NFPA 79, NEC, ISO 13849), quality standards, and company specifications.
  • Create and maintain comprehensive documentation, including electrical schematics, PLC programs, HMI screens, network diagrams, and control narratives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including process engineering, mechanical engineering, IT, operations, and external vendors, to achieve project goals.
  • Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and project planning meetings.

You'll have...

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or closely related field, or an equivalent amount of experience
• Experience in industrial controls systems design, development, programming, and commissioning within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven proficiency in PLC programming with at least one major platform (e.g., Mitsubishi MELSOFT GX Works3, Siemens TIA Portal).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA development.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (e.g., CC-Link, CC-Link IE, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP).
• Knowledge of industrial safety standards and machine safeguarding principles.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create electrical schematics and P&IDs.
• Demonstrated problem-solving/troubleshooting skills, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.
• Individual must be a team player and willing to take a leadership r