
Controls Engineer
Adient · Eastaboga, AL
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Preferred
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 14 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Adient (automotive) in Eastaboga, AL. Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and improve automated manufacturing equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, sensors, drives, servos, instrumentation, and associated controls hardware.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree preferred
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$143k.
Median of the low and high ends of 245 live postings that list pay, out of 716 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Alabama plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 12 other live controls postings in Alabama.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 92%
- ✓ PLC 85%
- ✓ Robotics 62%
- EHS / safety 38%
- Lean 31%
- ✓ Root cause 31%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Adient
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Adient in Eastaboga
1 other open role at this site.
- Maintenance Electrician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from AdientAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
The Controls Engineer is responsible for supporting, troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving automated manufacturing equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production operations. This position partners closely with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and Quality teams to maximize equipment uptime and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Responsibilities
- ◆Support the Maintenance Department in troubleshooting equipment issues, including PLC ladder logic, communications, and data handling functions using Allen-Bradley ControlLogix platforms.
- ◆Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and improve automated manufacturing equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, robotics, sensors, drives, servos, instrumentation, and associated controls hardware.
- ◆Maintain and manage PLC documentation, machine control drawings, and electronic backups throughout the facility.
- ◆Develop, execute, and maintain preventive maintenance programs for controls systems, automation equipment, and robotics.
- ◆Schedule and complete regular backups of PLC, HMI, robotic, and machine control programs.
- ◆Support troubleshooting of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems that interface with automation equipment.
- ◆Diagnose equipment failures and apply electrical, electronic, and instrumentation knowledge to restore equipment to safe and efficient operation.
- ◆Support and troubleshoot various I/O devices, including: HMIs Barcode scanners Remote I/O systems Sensors Relays Solenoids Servo drives Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
- ◆Implement and maintain plant floor data collection systems and identify opportunities for error-proofing and process optimization.
- ◆Participate in root cause analysis activities, including 8D and other structured problem-solving methodologies.
- ◆Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- ◆Evaluate and plan for process impacts resulting from engineering changes, product launches, and equipment modifications.
- ◆Assist in equipment specification development, controls design reviews, and equipment acceptance processes for new capital projects.
- ◆Drive improvements that increase equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and support production and safety objectives.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related technical field preferred.
- ✓Equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience will be considered.
- ✓Minimum of 3 years of Controls Engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Automotive manufacturing and/or JIT manufacturing experience preferred.
- ✓Recent graduates with applicable co-op or internship experience in controls/automation may be considered.
- ✓Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs is required.
- ✓Strong PLC troubleshooting experience is required.
- ✓Experience with PLC programming, modifications, and debugging is preferred.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and controls documentation.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Fanuc Robotics experience strongly preferred.
- ✓Experience with industrial automation systems and robotic integration.
- ✓Knowledge of industrial networking and communications protocols.
- ✓Experience with HMI development and troubleshooting.
- ✓AutoCAD experience is a plus.
- ✓Knowledge of industrial control voltage systems and wiring methods.
- ✓Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.
- ✓Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
Schedule
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job description
Controls Engineer
Shift openings available
- •2nd Shift (5:00 PM - 2:00 AM)
Candidates must be flexible to support off-shift production needs, equipment downtime events, and occasional overtime as required.
Ideal Candidate Profile
We are seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer who enjoys spending time on the manufacturing floor troubleshooting equipment, supporting maintenance teams, and driving automation improvements. The ideal candidate will have strong Allen-Bradley PLC troubleshooting skills, experience supporting automated production systems, and the ability to quickly identify and resolve equipment issues to minimize downtime.
Primary location
Bridgewater Interiors III
