
Automation Engineer
Whirlpool · Racine, WI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Certification
- Black Belt preferred
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 9 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Whirlpool (industrial) in Racine, WI.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required · Black Belt preferred
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Black Belt, Green Belt, OEE, Root cause
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Wisconsin: typical posted base $86k–$127k.
Median of the low and high ends of 11 live postings that list pay, out of 26 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 25 other live controls postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$127k, from 11 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 69%
- ✓ Automation 69%
- ✓ Root cause 46%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 35%
- ✓ Robotics 31%
- EHS / safety 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, DMAIC, 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 Whirlpool
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?
- The posting mentions a Black Belt. Does the company sponsor certification?
- 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: Whirlpool in Racine
2 other open roles at this site.
- Senior Industrial Engineer · Industrial · Senior
- Senior Quality Engineer · Quality · Senior
Full description from WhirlpoolAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
responsibilities
will include
- ◆Standards Development & Governance: Create, update, and enforce plant-wide automation and control standards across all existing production lines and new capital projects.
- ◆Continuous Improvement & Data Analysis: Lead root-cause problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives. Extract and analyze machine performance data from plant historians to identify bottlenecks and reduce downtime.
- ◆Version Control Management: Oversee master code repositories and software configuration management platforms for all PLCs, HMIs, drives, and robotics across the facility.
- ◆Asset Lifecycle & Obsolescence: Track technology lifecycles, maintain the automation risk register, and assist in developing the 3-to-5-year equipment replacement roadmap.
- ◆Performance Reporting: Develop SQL queries, reports, and real-time OEE dashboards to translate operational data into actionable engineering improvements.
- ◆Vendor & Integration Oversight: Partner with internal teams and external system integrators to establish technical benchmarks, review project specifications, and ensure alignment with plant standards.
- ◆System Documentation & Network Support: Maintain clear technical documentation, code libraries, circuit diagrams, and system architecture drawings for all automated production equipment, including basic network diagnostics.
requirements
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or STEM field
- ✓3+ years of experience in an industrial manufacturing environment, specifically focusing on PLC logic (Rockwell Automation Studio 5000), HMI (FactoryTalk View), robotics, SQL databases, and SCADA architectures
- ✓2+ years of experience with industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP), data mapping frameworks, and enterprise data hierarchy
- ✓1+ years of people leadership experience, including mentoring technical staff and coordinating resources for shop floor support
Preferred skills and experiences
- ✓Lean Six Sigma Certification: Active Green Belt or Black Belt certification with a demonstrated history of utilizing DMAIC methodologies for data-driven process optimization
- ✓Software & Version Control: Advanced proficiency in Rockwell Automation software (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View) and experience managing master code libraries via version control platforms
- ✓Data Pipeline Engineering: Expert-level SQL query development and experience configuring time-series historians and real-time OEE dashboards for UNS data mapping
- ✓Robotics & Motion Control: Practical experience in programming Fanuc robotics and configuring multi-axis servo-driven motion control architectures
- ✓Project Management: PMP certification or equivalent experience leading complex automation projects throughout the full asset lifecycle, from design to site commissioning
What we offer
Generous benefits package , Whirlpool employee discount, fitness & educational reimbursement programs, kitchenettes, and more! Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations: Beautiful, recently renovated office space, free coffee, biking/walking trails, and access to The Eddy - Early Childhood Center (depending upon availability - additional costs required).
Additional information
Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:
- ✓Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
- ✓Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
- ✓Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.
Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers . Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and YouTube .
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant
pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen
and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving
needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool , KitchenAid ,
JennAir, Maytag , Amana, Brastemp , Consul , and InSinkErator . In 2025, the company reported
approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas -
41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional
information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com .
This role in summary
Whirlpool is currently seeking qualified candidates for an Automation Engineer. This is an onsite role at our Racine, WI location.
Serves as the lead technical analyst for optimizing plant automation and control systems. This position focuses on developing engineering standards, managing version control governance, and leading continuous improvement projects to improve overall equipment efficiency and eliminate process waste. Additionally, this role maintains core cross-functional technical capabilities to serve as an immediate technical backup across the facility's automation layers.
We are currently not providing any visa sponsorship to candidates at this time.
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