Automation / Advanced Manufacturing Specialist - Plants 1/3
Howmet Aerospace · Whitehall, MI
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist controls role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Whitehall, MI. Influence --leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- OEE, Robotics, Automation, Tooling
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Michigan: typical posted base $76k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 64 controls engineer openings in Michigan, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Michigan plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 63 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $76k–$141k, from 18 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 73%
- ✓ Robotics 67%
- PLC 58%
- New product launch 28%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 27%
- AutoCAD 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, 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 Howmet Aerospace
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 in this kind of role, 1 leaders, plus 1 likely hiring manager. 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 Ryan → (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: Howmet Aerospace in Whitehall
38 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in controls roles at Howmet Aerospace.
- Manufacturing Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
- Operations Manager · Production · Manager
- Facilities Engineer - Plant 4 - Thermatech · Reliability
- Tool & Die Maker / Moldmaker · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Engineer - Plant 10 · Production
- Senior Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Responsible for automating manual processes, working with operators, vendors, and design teams.
- ◆Follow through the build phase and implementation of equipment into production and establishing PM’s to support.
- ◆Responsible for redesign / replacement of failing robotic components to increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- ◆Development and implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation.
- ◆Support justification of capital funding requisitions.
- ◆Responsible for project management and performance metrics.
- ◆Provide support and development of automation technicians.
- ◆Support engineering and manufacturing teams to improve existing processes.
- ◆Coordinate all robotic service visits.
- ◆Responsible for Software Control on all robot programming.
- ◆Developing technician troubleshoot guides.
Qualifications
- ✓BS Degree in the following disciplines: Mechanical, Electrical, Robotic, Industrial/Manufacturing or Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Technology or Computer Science/Software Engineering from an accredited institution OR 7 years of related experience
- ✓Employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓3+ years’ experience working with controls/programming robotics.
- ✓Experience with Motoman robotics or other programming of robots
- ✓Experience working in an engineering or manufacturing environment.
- ✓Experience in 6 axis articulating arm robotics.
- ✓Proven proficiency at robot programming, I/O management, and troubleshooting robotic systems logic.
- ✓Experience trouble-shooting mechanical systems including pneumatics, tooling issues, measurement feedback systems, and basic design robustness.
- ✓Programming in Industrial ladder logic.
- ✓Experience working with Wonderware HMI software.
- ✓Experience using industrial controllers.
- ✓Basic understanding of capabilities for controls and servo systems.
- ✓Demonstrated methodical aptitude for troubleshooting equipment and related issues.
- ✓Strong analytical skills.
- ✓Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
This Automation Engineering Specialist position will be located in Whitehall, MI. This position is instrumental in identifying new manufacturing technology and sustaining current technology in use at the operation. The Automation Engineer is responsible for automating manual processes, working with operators, vendors, and design teams. This position will follow through the build phase and implementation of equipment into production and establishing PMs to support. This position will also be responsible for redesign/replacement of failing robotic components to increase OEE.
Job Roles
- •Systems thinker --sees the business and its operation holistically; understands actions and reactions; considers multiple pathways of potential effect before decisions; thinks strategically about interventions with an eye toward scale
- •Optimizer --constantly challenging the organization to work smarter; supports others to ensure they have what they need to do their work successfully
- •Anticipation --looks ahead to minimize potential issues and maximize advantages; prepares others for what comes next
- •Operational accelerator --drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions
- •Organization and structure --works within existing structures while striving to improve and standardize them; provides accurate information; galvanizes others toward common goals
- •Influence --leverages knowledge, relationship, data and perspective to persuade, educate and navigate; gains buy in and adoption of ideas and practices at scale; interacts with a variety of stakeholders
- •Data informed --focused on things that drive quantifiable business outcomes; evaluates based on quantitative feedback; knows and explains the “why” behind actions
- •Prioritized reaction --handles the unexpected without losing sight of important objectives; reacts where greatest leverage points exist
- •Relationship --connects individually and with teams across shifts and practices; builds rapport and commonality; creates a “win together” ethic; serves as liaison between shop floor and engineering; keeps the pulse of the floor; helps people feel heard
include
- •Programming, troubleshooting, and developing preventative maintenance programs.
- •Interact with and provide guidance for maintenance personnel to repair equipment.
- •Responsible for Software Control on all robot programming.
- •New equipment proposals, design, RFQ’s, training and documentation.
- •Conduct general robot safety training.
- •Machine repair parts for robot cells, modifications, and tooling purchases.
- •Coordinate robot training thru Motoman and ABB for all technicians at Plant 4 that interact with robots.
- •Coordinate all Motoman service visits, repairs, and robot arm rebuilds.
- •Develop technician troubleshoot guides.
Basic