Controls Engineer
Piston Group · Auburn Hills, MI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Piston Group (automotive) in Auburn Hills, MI. Analyze and optimize machine performance using PLC data.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PLC, Robotics, Automation, Tooling, 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 $76k–$141k.
Median of the low and high ends of 18 live postings that list pay, out of 65 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 64 other live controls postings in Michigan.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $76k–$141k, from 18 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 74%
- ✓ Robotics 68%
- ✓ PLC 58%
- ✓ New product launch 29%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 26%
- ✓ AutoCAD 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Piston Group
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.
This plant: Piston Group in Auburn Hills
6 other open roles at this site.
- Quality Engineer · Quality
- Manufacturing Engineer · Manufacturing
- Production Supervisor - 2nd Shift · Production · Supervisor
- Operations Manager · Production · Manager
- Maintenance Technician II · Reliability · Technician
- Maintenance Technician III · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Piston GroupAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Analyze and optimize machine performance using PLC data
- ◆Lead root cause analysis for systemic and intermittent issues
- ◆Selection and integration of error and mistake proofing devices to address quality concerns
- ◆Understand and maintain machine Ethernet networks
- ◆Conduct regular audits on safety control programs and devices
- ◆Plan, coordinate, and implement assigned projects
- ◆Interface with automation and capital equipment vendors
- ◆During new equipment launches responsible for transferring all equipment and process documentation to the production plant prior to SOP. This includes all OEM equipment documentation (electronic and hard copies of manuals, BOM, drawings, recommended spare parts and recommended PM’s).
- ◆Lead activities in new product/process manufacturing and recommend improvements
- ◆Develop preventive maintenance programs in collaboration with plant management
- ◆Support controls-related issues to minimize production downtime
- ◆Guide maintenance technicians to develop skillsets and strengthen the team
- ◆Ensure peak efficiency and safety of all manufacturing machinery and equipment
- ◆Assist in installation and maintenance of machines and tools
- ◆Analyze equipment
requirements
and assist in requisition of tools and spare parts
- ✓Identify and recommend efficiency improvements to reduce costs
- ✓Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- ✓Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Programming, or a related field. Relevant experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- ✓Minimum of 2 years as a Controls Engineer or Maintenance Technician.
- ✓Experience with maintaining robots in production processes
- ✓Experience in JIT, SPD, ILVS and Batch manufacturing systems.
- ✓Strong knowledge of Manual and Automated Assembly Systems and Technologies, including both mechanical and control systems.
- ✓Technical experience required with Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Power Point, AutoCAD, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, FactoryTalk View Studio
- ✓Controls Technical proficiency requirement:
- ✓PLC Programming (2-4 years): Allen Bradley ControlLogix 5000 processors
- ✓Vision Systems Programming (2-4 years): Cognex, Keyence
- ✓HMI Programming (2-4 years): FactoryTalk View Studio, PanelView Plus
- ✓Robot Programming: Touchup paths and troubleshoot stoppages
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Overview
The Plant Controls Engineer plays a crucial role in maintaining, optimizing, and troubleshooting the control systems essential to production processes within the manufacturing facility. This position involves supporting and improving existing control systems to ensure optimal production efficiency and safety. The plant Controls Engineer provides expertise for the maintenance of ongoing production processes, including the implementation and documentation of required process changes to support continuous improvement and product changes. The Controls Engineer assists in optimizing tooling design and automation processes to prevent or minimize production downtime. You should be self-motivated and able to work with minimal direction, make decisions independently, and able to motivate others to complete the task at hand.
Piston Automotive wasn’t just founded to make things. It was founded to make things better. And that begins with building better teams solely dedicated to achieving excellence at every level of execution through a combination of experience, expertise, and a deep seeded passion for what we do. Our assemblies consistently set the standard because our people consistently raise the bar.
Why Piston Automotive?
Competitive Wages, Paid Holidays & Vacation, Medical & Rx Plans, Dental & Vision Plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Life & Disability Coverage, 401K with Company Match, Tuition Reimbursement , Vehicle and Product Discounts