Manufacturing Engineer II Automation
Stoughton Trailers · Stoughton, WI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Automotive
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Stoughton Trailers (automotive) in Stoughton, WI. Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC programs for manufacturing equipment to improve quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, Robotics, Automation, CNC, Machining, Time studies
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Wisconsin: typical posted base $86k–$127k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 24 controls engineer openings in Wisconsin, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Wisconsin plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 23 other live controls postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$127k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 63%
- ✓ Automation 63%
- Root cause 42%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
- ✓ Robotics 33%
- ✓ EHS / safety 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for CNC, Time studies, 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 Stoughton Trailers
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 Michael → (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?
- 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: Stoughton Trailers in Stoughton
10 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in controls roles at Stoughton Trailers.
- Tool & Die Welder · Manufacturing · Technician
- Industrial Maintenance Technician · Reliability · Technician
- Industrial Control Technician · Controls · Technician
- Tool and Die Maker · Manufacturing · Technician
- Maintenance Technician II · Reliability · Technician
- Maintenance Technician I · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Stoughton TrailersAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Provide technical support for plant production by responding to line disruptions and issues in a multi-plant operation
- ◆Improve manufacturing efficiency by analyzing and planning workflows, space
requirements
and equipment layouts
- ✓Design and build custom equipment, tooling, and fixtures requiring automation through PLCs, HMIs, robotics, and safety systems
- ✓Provide PLC, HMI, and robotic programming support for all plants
Develop, optimize, and troubleshoot CNC programs for manufacturing equipment to improve quality, efficiency, and repeatability.
Support CNC machining operations through program development, tooling selection, setup improvements, and process standardization.
Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to identify and implement CNC process improvements that reduce downtime and increase productivity.
Create and maintain CNC programming documentation, setup sheets, and work instructions to support manufacturing operations.
- ✓Work with vendors on specifications and arrange for purchase of equipment, materials, tooling, or parts
- ✓Confer with other manufacturing engineers and product engineering concerning product design and tooling to ensure efficient production methods
- ✓Manage all projects through planning, development, and implementation
- ✓Collaborate with other manufacturing engineers to ensure manufacturing consistency across the corporation
- ✓Conduct production time studies as needed
- ✓Work and communicate in a team environment
- ✓Other duties may be assigned as required by the company
Above is a list of the most important
responsibilities
and functions, which are essential to the position. Employees must be able to perform these essential functions satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Accommodations will be evaluated and provided to eligible employees on a case-by-case basis, depending on the employee's medical restrictions, work availability, the nature of the position, the position's essential functions and other relevant factors.
Qualifications
- ✓Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience
- ✓Licenses/Certifications:
- ✓List any other Certifications
- ✓Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
- ✓4-7 years industrial experience
- ✓Knowledge of and training in PLC, HMI, robotic, and CNC programming
Experience with CNC machining centers, lathes, tooling systems, and machining best practices
Ability to create, modify, and optimize CNC programs using G-code and CAM software
Experience troubleshooting machining processes, tool wear issues, dimensional concerns, and cycle-time improvements
Familiarity with CNC controls such as Fanuc, Haas, Mazak, Siemens, or similar platforms preferred
- ✓Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Beijer, and Motoman preferred
- ✓Panasonic and ABB desirable
- ✓Understanding of Machine tool operations
- ✓Machine tool building principles and practices, including OSHA & safety
- ✓Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field
- ✓Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals
- ✓Proficient in the use of SolidWorks, DraftSight, and MS Office
- ✓Core Competencies:
- ✓Creativity
- ✓Analytical
- ✓Practical
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Effectively support the manufacturing process, manufacturing equipment and new product introduction for all plants. This includes the conception and development of solutions for daily interruptions, continuous process improvement and the coordination with cross functional teams for the implementation of various types of equipment including automation equipment and procedures to maximize production performance.
