
Group Automation Engineer
Magna · Novi, MI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Travel
- 30%
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Magna (automotive) in Novi, MI.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- Root cause, ISO 9001, IATF 16949, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics
- Day to day
- about 30% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Michigan: typical posted base $76k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 17 live postings that list pay, out of 56 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 55 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $76k–$141k, from 17 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 73%
- ✓ Robotics 66%
- ✓ PLC 57%
- New product launch 30%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 29%
- AutoCAD 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for ISO 9001, IATF 16949, 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 Magna
We found 2 people at this company and state: 2 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 Ahmad → (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 30% 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: Magna in Novi
No other open roles at this site right now · 2 people we found in controls roles at Magna.
Full description from MagnaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.
Responsibilities
Serves as a North America robotics technical expert, responsible for developing, standardizing, and supporting robotic systems across manufacturing operations. Focuses on industrial robotics, collaborative robots (cobots), and robotic automation solutions to enable scalable, reliable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.
Supports project development and shopfloor implementation while leading the standardization of robotic systems, programming methodologies, and integration approaches. Drives innovation through development of proof-of-concept (POC) solutions and deployment of advanced robotics technologies across divisions.
Responsibilities
- ◆Support development of robotic concepts, simulations, and feasibility studies, including cycle time analysis and system design.
- ◆Lead standardization of robotics platforms, programming methodologies, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), and integration approaches across all facilities.
- ◆Develop, document, and maintain robotics standards, best practices, and reusable programming structures to ensure scalability and consistency.
- ◆Support automation project development and execution, including design reviews, equipment specifications, and integration requirements.
- ◆Provide hands-on support during shopfloor implementation, commissioning, and debugging of robotic systems.
- ◆Program, troubleshoot, and optimize industrial robots and cobots (e.g., FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots), ensuring reliability and performance.
- ◆Ensure seamless integration of robotics systems with PLC controls, vision systems, and manufacturing equipment.
- ◆Lead development and deployment of collaborative robot (cobot) applications, ensuring safe and efficient human-robot interaction.
- ◆Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize cycle time, throughput, quality, and equipment reliability.
- ◆Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for robotics and automation-related downtime.
- ◆Develop and execute proof-of-concept (POC) projects for advanced robotics technologies, including AI-enabled robotics, flexible automation, and adaptive systems.
- ◆Identify and evaluate emerging robotics technologies and support scaling of successful innovations across multiple plants.
- ◆Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Automation, Controls, Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Safety to support system improvements and deployments.
- ◆Provide technical support and guidance to divisional engineering teams, including training on robotic systems, programming, and safety procedures.
- ◆Support development of digital tools such as offline programming (OLP), simulation, and virtual commissioning for robotics applications.
- ◆Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards (OSHA, MIOSHA, RIA) and corporate
requirements
for robotic systems.
- ✓Support internal and external audits related to ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949, ensuring robotics systems meet quality system requirements.
- ✓Support and comply with Standard Operating Procedure 8000 (Quality Management System).
- ✓Identify and implement cost reduction, standardization, and efficiency improvements through robotics technologies.
- ✓Promote a strong safety culture in robotic system design and implementation, ensuring all applications meet regulatory and corporate safety standards.
- ✓Expected to travel up to 30% for divisional support according to project needs.
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Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty and responsibility . The
requirements
listed below represent the knowledge, skill, ability and/or physical demands required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience/Special Knowledge/Skills
- ✓Minimum 5+ years of experience with industrial robotics, automation integration, and manufacturing processes.
- ✓Strong hands-on experience with major robotics platforms (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots or equivalent).
- ✓Experience with collaborative robots (cobots) and human-robot interaction applications.
- ✓Proficiency in robot programming, simulation, and troubleshooting in production environments.
- ✓Strong understanding of robotics integration with PLC systems, sensors, and vision systems (Cognex, Keyence or similar).
- ✓Experience with end-of-arm tooling (EOAT) design and robotic cell optimization.
- ✓Familiarity with offline programming (OLP), simulation tools, and virtual commissioning is highly preferred.
- ✓Knowledge of Industry 4.0 concepts, including smart manufa
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What we offer
At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied
Group Summary
Magna is an innovative leader in the development and manufacturing of high quality complete seating systems. Our solution includes seating structures, mechanisms and hardware, as well as foam and trim products for global automotive, heavy truck and bus industries. Our capabilities include market and consumer research; full concept development; design and engineering capabilities; testing, validation and world-class manufacturing. Our award-winning seating solutions are developed from consumer research, finding the ease of operation to be comfortable, convenient and connected.
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