
Controls Engineer
Ford · Ypsilanti, MI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Base pay
- $72k–$121k
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Ford (automotive) in Ypsilanti, MI. While a shift will be assigned, open to work in a rotating shift environment.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, Kanban
- Base pay
- $72k–$121k
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 56 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- About 15% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $85k–$143k, from 16 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 77%
- ✓ Robotics 65%
- PLC 61%
- ✓ New product launch 32%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 30%
- AutoCAD 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Kaizen, 5S, Value stream mapping, Kanban, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Ford
We found 9 people at this company and state: 7 on the team, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Mike → (free) - 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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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: Ford in Ypsilanti
1 other open role at this site · 9 people we found on the controls team.
- Senior Maintenance Supervisor · Reliability · Supervisor
Full description from FordAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
In this position...
The Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems to automate and optimize industrial processes for Battery Products. The Controls Engineer will use a combination of electrical, mechanical, and software skills to ensure efficient and reliable production operations.
What you'll do...
- •Support manufacturing process engineering activity during new product launches or capacity expansions.
- •Apply engineering principles to drive continuous improvement in safety, quality, cost, and productivity.
- •Analyze process bottleneck root causes; engage in constraint management and process optimizations.
- •Participate in root cause analysis of machine issues with the production and maintenance teams.
- •Lead development of interim and permanent corrective actions to resolve quality issues using 8D methodology and structured problem-solving tools.
- •Update program backups for machinery and automation.
- •Program new installations of automation, machinery, material handling, and robots.
- •Assist in training manufacturing personnel and plant electricians.
- •Maintain familiarity with OA, CPN/MPN networks and communication protocols for connecting to wireless and wired networks.
- •Manage installation and maintenance of virus protection software for controls network PCs, perform PC backup disc images and installation of communication and firmware and controls software.
- •While a shift will be assigned, open to work in a rotating shift environment.
- •Work cooperatively and supportively with a broad range of individuals with different levels of education and experience.
- •Manage multiple priorities and tasks simultaneously with guidance on priority to meet established deadlines.
- •Work overtime and weekends as needed.
You'll have...
- •High School Diploma or GED
- •1 or more years’ experience working in a manufacturing environment (internship and coop experience will be considered)
Even better, you may have...
- •Associate's or bachelor's degree in engineering, Manufacturing, or a related technical field.
- •3 or more years' experience working in a manufacturing environment.
- •Electrical background preferred.
- •Familiarity with the Standard Manual version of the FAST template.
- •Ability to program with Siemens TIA Portal
- •Validated ability to troubleshoot equipment and continuously evaluate for process improvements.
- •Experience with conveyor system programming
- •Solid understanding of networking to include DH+, Ethernet and remote IO
- •Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma experience
- •Lean Tools – 5S, Kanban, Poka-Yoke, Value Stream Mapping experience
- •Understanding of 8D, FMEA, and DMAIC processes
- •Familiar with TQM and Kaizen methods
- •One or more years of experience with MS Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook)
You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!
As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:
- •Immediate medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage
- •Flexible family care, parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up childcare and more
- •Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
- •Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases
- •Tuition assistance
- •Established and active employee resource groups
- •Paid time off for individual and team community service
- •A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
- •Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.
This position is a salary grade 6 and ranges from $72,480-121,440.
This position is a salary grade 7 and ranges from $84,480-141,360.
This position is a salary grade 8 and ranges from $96,720-162,120.
For more information on salary and benefits, click here: https://fordcareers.co/GSR
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
At Ford Motor Company, we believe freedom of movement drives human progress. With our incredible plans for the future of mobility, we have a wide variety of opportunities for you to accelerate your career and help us define tomorrow’s transportation.
