Engineer, Controls/IoT

Cooper Standard•Northville, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Controls Engineer About Liveline Liveline enables dramatic improvements in manufacturing performance through a unique application of artificial intelligence to provide real-time process control and predictive assistants for plant personnel. Our focus is on automating complex industrial processes—not simply providing dashboards for managers and operators. Our team brings together experts in AI with seasoned controls and process engineers who are deeply familiar with the “last mile” of factory integration. We work directly with production lines, PLCs, sensors, and industrial networks to ensure Liveline technology reliably interacts with the physical world. Our mission is to democratize advanced automation for manufacturers of all sizes. By combining smart sensing, intelligent control, and cloud-based analytics, we enable producers to de-mystify complex processes and free technicians to focus on higher-value work instead of constant manual adjustments. The Controls Engineer is responsible for building the eyes, ears, and hands of Liveline’s intelligent automation systems. This role focuses on the implementation of robust sensing, control, and communication strategies on manufacturing lines—bridging the gap between industrial equipment and Liveline’s advanced software solutions. You will design, deploy, and optimize PLC logic, sensors, HMIs, edge gateways, and industrial networks, ensuring seamless data flow from plant-floor devices to cloud environments and safe/accurate control signals back to the equipment. You will collaborate with process engineers, IoT engineers, data scientists, and software teams to deliver scalable, reliable, and cost‑effective industrial integration at customer sites.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial, or Computer Engineering (or equivalent experience).
5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation, or IoT system integration.
Hands-on expertise with Allen Bradley and/or Siemens PLCs.
Experience building IoT or connected industrial systems (sensors, gateways, networked equipment).
Familiarity with SCADA systems; Ignition experience preferred.
Solid understanding of industrial communication protocols (OPC UA, MQTT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).
Experience working with or contributing to open-source tools or platforms.
Strong understanding of controller design theory (PID, adaptive control, etc.).
Experience programming in C/C++ and object‑oriented programming.
Knowledge of MATLAB; Python/NumPy/SciPy is a plus.
Ability to test, validate, and tune controls during integration.
Experience with wireless communication technologies and test equipment.
Understanding of ladder logic, structured text, function block diagrams, and I/O mapping.
Knowledge of instrumentation, electrical schematics, and industrial sensors.
Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or similar).
Understanding of embedded systems fundamentals.
Working knowledge of data structures and algorithms.
Strong problem‑solving abilities with patience and creativity during troubleshooting.
Ability to deliver innovative solutions to complex process and automation challenges.
Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills; comfortable interacting with customers on the plant floor.
Clear communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts concisely.
Strong documentation and presentation abilities.
Willingness and ability to travel as required for customer deployments.

Responsibilities

PLC & HMI Development: Program, test, and deploy PLC logic (Allen Bradley or Siemens), HMI screens, and control strategies for new and existing process lines.
Edge & Cloud Connectivity: Deploy and integrate Liveline edge devices with industrial networks and cloud environments using OPC UA, MQTT, and similar protocols.
SCADA Integration: Work with SCADA platforms, Ignition preferred, ensuring reliable data collection, alarming, and visualization.
Electrical Documentation: Create electrical schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.
Controls Design & Optimization: Implement controls best practices including PID tuning, adaptive control strategies, fault detection, and performance optimization.
System Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve issues related to instrumentation, control loops, PLC logic, sensors, industrial networks, and electrical systems.
Communication Networks: Configure and validate wired and wireless industrial communication networks (Ethernet/IP, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, mesh networks).
Safety & Compliance: Apply engineering standards related to electrical systems, robotic safety, motor control, and industrial automation.
IoT & Embedded Integration: Integrate sensor systems, embedded devices, and IoT hardware with Liveline’s data acquisition and control ecosystem.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Work directly with mechanical, controls, and software teams to deploy Liveline solutions at customer manufacturing sites.
Technology Evaluation: Assess new sensors, control hardware, communication technologies, and edge devices to inform Liveline’s technology roadmap.
Customer Deployment: Support on‑site installations, commissioning, operator training, and performance validation of Liveline solutions.