Senior Controls Engineer
Lincoln Electric · Plymouth, MI
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 50%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Lincoln Electric (industrial) in Plymouth, MI. Design, develop, and implement PLC control systems for custom automated machinery.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation, Machining
- Day to day
- about 50% travel
- Openings
- 2 with this title at this site
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 (10+ 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 Machining, Welding, 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 Lincoln Electric
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. 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 Peter → (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?
- The posting says about 50% travel. Between which sites?
- 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: Lincoln Electric in Plymouth
5 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in controls roles at Lincoln Electric.
- Quality Supervisor · Quality · Supervisor
- Electrical Technician · Reliability · Technician
- Quality Engineer · Quality
- Quality Control Technician · Quality · Technician
- Controls Engineer · Controls
Full description from Lincoln ElectricAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
Join a growing engineering team that designs and builds custom automated manufacturing equipment for customers across a variety of industries. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will play a key role in bringing complex machines to life through PLC, HMI, motion control, and PC-based programming. This is a hands-on engineering position where you'll be involved throughout the entire machine lifecycle, from concept and design through testing, installation, and customer startup. You'll collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams while working with industry-leading automation technologies.
If you enjoy solving challenging problems, working on unique custom equipment, and seeing your designs operate in the real world, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Design, develop, and implement PLC control systems for custom automated machinery.
- ◆Create and maintain PC-based control software and industrial automation applications.
- ◆Develop intuitive HMI and operator interface solutions.
- ◆Program and integrate motion control systems, servos, VFDs, robotics, and machine safety devices.
- ◆Test, troubleshoot, and optimize machine performance during assembly and startup.
- ◆Conduct system validation, debugging, and performance improvements.
- ◆Support machine commissioning activities both in-house and at customer sites.
- ◆Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams throughout project execution.
- ◆Work directly with customers and installation contractors to support successful system deployment.
- ◆Maintain software documentation, revision control, and programming standards.
- ◆Assist with continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of new automation technologies.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Automation
- ✓Engineering, or 10+ years of equivalent hands-on industry experience.
- ✓5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or machine programming.
- ✓Experience programming PLCs and HMIs in a manufacturing or machine-building environment.
- ✓Proficiency with one or more major automation platforms:
- ✓Rockwell/Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 & FactoryTalk
- ✓Siemens TIA Portal
- ✓Equivalent industrial automation platforms
- ✓Experience with industrial communication networks including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, or similar protocols.
- ✓Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem-solving abilities.
- ✓Ability to travel approximately 30-50% for customer installations and commissioning.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience with robotics integration and programming.
- ✓Motion control, servo systems, and coordinated motion experience.
- ✓Familiarity with machine safety systems and safety PLCs.
- ✓Experience with vision inspection systems.
- ✓Knowledge of SQL, C#, VB.NET, or other PC-based programming languages.
- ✓Experience in custom machine building, packaging, assembly, material handling, or automated manufacturing systems.
Why Join Us?
- ✓Work on unique, custom-engineered automation projects.
- ✓Opportunity to influence machine design and functionality from concept through startup.
- ✓Exposure to advanced controls, robotics, motion control, and emerging automation technologies.
- ✓Collaborative engineering environment with high visibility and impact.
- ✓Opportunities for technical growth, leadership development, and career advancement.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Lincoln Electric is a high-performance industrial machinery and technology leader who helps customers manufacture and maintain vital equipment and infrastructure. Lincoln Electric’s innovative solutions enable higher quality and productivity across a variety of processes including welding, cutting, brazing, machining, process automation, and field repair. The Company leverages proprietary technologies and expertise in materials science, power electronics, automation, and intelligent software to help customers build better and achieve resilience in their operations. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric is the essential ‘Linc’ that keeps the economy running. The Company operates 71 manufacturing and automation facilities across 20 countries and serves customers in over 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at https://www.lincolnelectric.com .
Location: Plymouth - 46247
Employment Status: Salary Full-Time
Function: Engineering
Pay Range: ( $96,331.63 - $137.616.62)
Target Bonus: 8%