Senior Controls Engineer
Howmet Aerospace · Whitehall, MI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 6 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Whitehall, MI. Design, program, and maintain control systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS, robotics) with AI/ML (machine learning) integration for adaptive control and edge computing.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation
- 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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Python, 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
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Senior Controls Engineer at Howmet Aerospace in other locations
Howmet Aerospace lists this title in 2 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Design, program, and maintain control systems (PLC, SCADA, DCS, robotics) with AI/ML (machine learning) integration for adaptive control and edge computing.
- ◆Integrate AI outputs into control loops (e.g., predictive maintenance triggers or anomaly-based shutdowns).
- ◆Troubleshoot, optimize, and upgrade existing automation to support
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓BS in Electrical/Controls Engineering from an accredited institution
- ✓3+ years of experience in manufacturing
- ✓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
- ✓Strong PLC (Allen-Bradley/Siemens), HMI, and networking skills
- ✓Experience with Python or AI edge tools
- ✓3+ years of automation experience in a manufacturing environment
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
As a Senior Controls Engineer you will design, program, install and maintain industrial control systems (PLC, SCADA, robotics) while enabling seamless integration of AI outputs for intelligent, adaptive automation on the factory floor. This role bridges operational technology (OT) and AI platforms to implement real-time decision-making, predictive maintenance triggers, and closed-loop process control. The Controls Engineer ensures system reliability, safety, and scalability as the company advances toward Industry 4.0 capabilities.
Job Role
- •Analysis and synthesis --measures and interprets with exactness; ensures integrity of data; invites possibilities, improvements and scale based on data captured or from a data informed perspective
- •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
- •Hands on -designs, programs, installs and maintains industrial control systems (PLC, SCADA, robotics)
- •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
- •Best Practice - Utilizes knowledge of best practice approaches to pursue common systems and components to reduce complexity where possible
- •Operational accelerator --drives continuous improvement; understands ramifications of automation and other advances; advocates for safety, ergonomics and scalable solutions; initiates and collaborates with plant leadership to drive improvements identified by AI
- •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
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on the world. To learn more about the way Howmet Aerospace Inc. is advancing the sustainability of our customers, markets, and communities where we operate, review the 2025 Environmental Social and Governance report at www.howmet.com/esg-report . Follow: LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , and YouTube .
