Automation & Controls Engineer I

Hunter Douglas is the world’s leading manufacturer of window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products. We are a brand that you know and trust. With more than 100 years of innovation, we’ve defined our industry with proprietary products that deliver revolutionary style and functionality and can be found in millions of homes and commercial buildings globally.

We are searching for candidates that are driven, intelligent, creative, and entrepreneurial. By offering challenging and accelerated opportunities for growth, powered by a shared hunger for success, we create a space for your career to thrive. In return for your expertise, we are committed to providing competitive and robust total compensation and benefit packages to ensure you feel valued. Our dream is to become the fastest growing, most loved, window covering company in the world. What’s yours?

Position Overview

The position is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing intermediate level automated systems and solutions to support new manufacturing or operational initiatives across NA plants. This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, production, and IT—to identify automation opportunities, define technical requirements, and ensure seamless integration of equipment and controls into new processes or production lines.

• •Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Engineering, CI, Maintenance, IT developers, and Quality) to execute automation projects.
• •Design intermediate level control systems and automation solutions that align with company standardization, project goals, and customer requirements.
• •Collaborate with software IT teams to ensure compatibility and future expansion of machine connectivity & data acquisition activities.
• •Create intermediate level project specifications that include cost savings, capex, RFQ, timeline, and resource

• •Write, test, and debug control logic programs using IEC61131-3 and HDNA standards for PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), DCS (Distributed Control Systems), MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems), and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.
• •Basic-Intermediate knowledge of motion control schemes (PTP and Coordinated motion) and Safety PLC system integration.
• •Develop HMI (Human Machine Interface) programs for comprehensive machine interactions (alarms, machine state, recipe selection/edit, user login, and security).
• •Basic knowledge of communication protocols for data exchange between different devices and systems (SAP/PQS MII Manufacturing Integration and Intelligence, MES, OEE, SCADA, Remote Access).
• •Basic knowledge of vision system integration and development for validation and defect mapping/detection.
• •Integrate various control devices, sensors, actuators, and instrumentation with PID controls into a cohesive automation system using various network protocols: ECAT, EPL, EIP, DeviceNet, CANOpen, and Serial.
• •Intermediate knowledge of power distribution, electrical panel layout, High/Low voltage panel separation, and field wiring (up to 180VDC and 480VAC).
• •Intermediate level experience with Omron Sysmac Studio, Allen Bradley Studio 5000, and Beckhoff TC3 (desired).
• •Desired experience with programming Cobot (collaborative robots) and machine/operator integration.

• •Perform thorough testing of control systems to ensure accuracy, reliability, and safety.
• •Conduct development simulations and real-world testing to validate the system's performance under different operating conditions
• •Validate FAT and SAT testing checklists

• •Provide timely support to identify and resolve highly technical issues and malfunctions in the automation and control systems when escalated from maintenance or engineering, and share troubleshooting knowledge
• •Intermediate ability to analyze data and system performance for process optimization.

• •Intermediate knowledge of creating comprehensive documentation, including project specifications, wiring diagrams & ECRs, programming comments, calibration procedures, flow charts, BOMs, and user manuals.

• •Basic knowledge to ensure that all control systems adhere to industry standards, regulations, risk assessments, and safety protocols (NEC, OSHA, ANSI B11.19/20, NFPA 70E, SCCR, UL508, EN954-1, and HDMS standards).
• •Collaborate with A&C Engineers and Techs to implement and validate automation safety systems to performance levels according to risk assessments. Participate in the risk assessment process, including stop time calculations and safe distance calculations for guard doors & presence-sensing devices.

• •Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in automation and controls engineering, and bala