Senior Automation Controls Engineer
La-Z-Boy · Monroe, MI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at La-Z-Boy (industrial) in Monroe, MI. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- OEE, PLC, Robotics, Automation, SolidWorks, AutoCAD
- 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 $79k–$130k.
Median of the low and high ends of 15 live postings that list pay, out of 70 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 69 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$130k, from 15 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 74%
- ✓ Robotics 71%
- ✓ PLC 64%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- ✓ New product launch 23%
- ✓ AutoCAD 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, SolidWorks, 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 La-Z-Boy
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
- 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.
Full description from La-Z-BoyAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Job Summary
This position is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and optimization of automated manufacturing systems across La-Z-Boy operations. This role provides technical leadership primarily in controls engineering, but also mechanical, robotics, machine integration, and digital manufacturing initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance. This position will partner with safety, manufacturing, maintenance, quality, IT, and external suppliers to deliver reliable automation solutions that support safety, modernizing manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement objectives.
Requirements
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical field with 8-10 years of experience in industrial controls, automation engineering, and manufacturing systems, or equivalent
- ✓Demonstrated experience leading automation projects in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, and machine controls.
- ✓Up to 25% travel or as required to support projects
Requirements
- ✓Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- ✓Experience within furniture, consumer goods, automotive, or high-volume manufacturing environments.
- ✓Experience with Industry 4.0, IIoT, MES, and digital transformation initiatives.
- ✓SolidWorks 3D and/or AutoCAD experience developing mechanical parts, systems, and facility drawings
Responsibilities
No direct reports
responsibilities
that are required of the incumbent for this job. Duties,
responsibilities
and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
key responsibilities
outlined above, candidates must be able to meet the
qualifications
noted in the company’s Driver Management Program to be considered for the role.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees have the power to change lives, in our homes, work and communities. We foster an inclusive environment while honoring a legacy built on family, where everyone can be themselves.
If you are ready to join an industry leading organization where our people are the most important asset, and innovation propels us into the future, you’re ready to take your seat at La-Z-Boy Incorporated.
Automation & Controls Engineering
- •Lead controls architecture development for new automation and capital equipment projects.
- •Design, develop, program, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion control, and industrial network systems.
- •Create and maintain electrical schematics, controls documentation, network diagrams, and technical standards.
- •Develop and troubleshoot automation systems utilizing industry-standard platforms such as:
- •Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley)
- •Siemens
- •Omron
- •Beckhoff
- •Ignition SCADA
- •Integrate robotics, vision systems, sensors, servo systems, and automated material handling equipment.
- •Participates in cross functional meetings, seminars, vendor trips, and training sessions to effectively investigate and evaluate new technology advancements and equipment developments
Project Management
- •Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and production launch.
- •Develop project scopes, technical specifications, budgets, and implementation schedules.
- •Manage automation vendors, system integrators, and contractors.
- •Ensure projects meet safety, quality, performance, and financial objectives.
Manufacturing Support
- •Provide advanced troubleshooting support for new automation production equipment and controls systems.
- •Analyze recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
- •Improve machine uptime, throughput, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Continuous Improvement
- •Identify opportunities to reduce labor content through automation and process improvements.
- •Support modernizing manufacturing initiatives.
- •Utilize data collection and analytics tools to drive performance improvements.
- •Champion standardization of controls hardware, software, and engineering practices across facilities.
Leadership & Mentorship
- •Serve as a subject matter expert in controls engineering and automation technologies.
- •Mentor controls engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel.
Scope & impact
This position is responsible for the specification, design, execution, and tracking of new automation manufacturing equipment to support modernizing our manufacturing processes by leveraging and collaborating with cross functional teams to successfully complete and implement first-of-kind automation.
Physical demands/work environment
Often required to sit, repetitive hand motion (such as typing), hear, listen, talk, stand, walk, bend, stoop, climb stairs, crawl reach overhead push/pull and lift up to 30 pounds. Seldom required to Climb ladders, kneel, squat, crouch, balance or lift up over 50 pounds.
OTHER DUTIES: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or
Weekly Hours
40
Benefits for Employees in the US
Benefit offerings to employees and their families include: Medical, Vision, Dental and Basic Life Insurance, available 401k retirement plan with company match of up to 6%. Paid time off includes: 9-11 paid holidays each year, two weeks’ prorated vacation as a new hire and either personal time (non-exempt only) or state mandated sick time.
More information can be found via: https://learn.bswift.com/la-z-boy
If this role requires travel / driving in order to perform the