Automation Specialist
Howmet Aerospace · Whitehall, MI
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 13 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist controls role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Whitehall, MI. In addition, this position will be responsible for supporting current technology in use at various Howmet Plants.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics
- 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
- Less than usual (3+ 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.
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
- ◆Development, implementation, and programming of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation.
- ◆Provide support and development of automation technicians across multiple Howmet facilities.
- ◆Support engineering and manufacturing teams to improve existing processes.
- ◆Coordinate robotic service visits.
- ◆Responsible for Software Control.
- ◆Developing troubleshooting guides for plant technicians.
- ◆Automation System Integration- Integrate ADR systems with robotics, PLCs, MES, SCADA, and automotive production lines. Ensure seamless communication between inspection hardware, automation controllers, and quality databases.
- ◆Inspection Data Analysis - Analyze data trends, defect signatures, and system performance. Develop algorithms or rulesets to improve detection accuracy and reduce false positives.
- ◆Process Optimization - Identify bottlenecks in inspection and automation workflows. Implement improvements that increase throughput, reduce scrap, and enhance repeatability.
- ◆Root Cause & Corrective Action - Lead investigations into defect trends, equipment failures, and process deviations using structured problem‑solving methodologies.
- ◆System Validation & Calibration - Conduct validation, calibration, and capability studies for ADR and NDT systems to ensure compliance with automotive quality standards.
- ◆Cross‑Functional Collaboration - Partner with Quality, Production, Maintenance, and NDT Level II/III personnel to ensure inspection systems meet operational and regulatory requirements.
- ◆Documentation & Compliance - Maintain technical documentation, inspection procedures, and compliance records aligned with automotive and NDT standards.
- ◆Continuous Improvement - Drive initiatives aligned with Lean, Six Sigma, and Industry 4.0, focusing on automation, digital inspection, and data‑driven quality.
Qualifications
- ✓Four years of automation experience
- ✓25-50% travel to other Howmet facilities
- ✓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
- ✓2-3 years working with controls/programming robotics in an Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, Automation Engineering environments.
- ✓Experience in 6 axis articulating arm robotics.
- ✓Proficiency at robot programming, I/O management, and troubleshooting robotic systems logic.
- ✓Experience trouble-shooting robotic mechanical and electrical systems including pneumatics, sensors, tooling, measurement feedback systems, and basic design robustness.
- ✓Proficient in off-line programming environments.
- ✓Basic understanding of controls and servo systems.
- ✓Basic understanding of tooling and fixture design.
- ✓Experience with Programmable logic Controllers (PLC).
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
The Automation Engineer : This position will support projects for all of Howmet Engines business. This role will be responsible for developing and programming new manufacturing technology. In addition, this position will be responsible for supporting current technology in use at various Howmet Plants. They will work with design teams, plant automation technicians, operators, and vendors. This position will follow through the build phase and implementation of equipment into production including establishing PM’s and critical spare parts.
Primary
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
Basic