Controls Engineer

Job Summary

Join a dynamic team where innovation meets practicality! As a key player in designing, programming, and supporting cutting-edge automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems, you'll transform customer material-handling requirements into state-of-the-art AGV system designs. Collaborate closely with our ESG team and Sales from proposal through implementation, offering hands-on engineering expertise in application feasibility, material flow, system layouts, controls design, electrical drawings, system simulation, PLC and HMI programming, and AGV traffic control. This role is your opportunity to independently execute AGV controls engineering, including configuring Daifuku AGV Fleet Manager, AGV units, and navigation mapping. You'll also support system commissioning, troubleshooting, technical documentation, customer training, and ongoing support to ensure safe and reliable AGV system operation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with sales and customers during proposals to assess application feasibility, material flow, system layout, network architecture, and site safety requirements.
• Develop and evaluate AGV concepts that enhance material movement; utilize system simulation to assess vehicle quantities, traffic, and expected operation.
• Create and maintain AGV route layouts in AutoCAD or Visio, overall system controls designs, and electrical drawings for related devices in AutoCAD Electrical.
• Design and program overall system controls in PLC/HMI using Omron, Mitsubishi, or Allen-Bradley platforms and HMI interfaces using Pro-face, Omron, Mitsubishi, or AB platforms.
• Configure AGV vehicles, traffic controls, and related hardware for Daifuku AGV systems.
• Install, commission, debug, and improve new and existing AGV controls systems at customer facilities.
• Prepare technical specifications, system audit and service reports, troubleshooting guidance, and preventive maintenance documentation.
• Train customers in system operation and maintenance, and work with ESG leadership and sales to resolve technical questions and site issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve internal processes, project execution, and supply chain efficiency through better methods or technology.
• Other duties assigned by Management.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering field.
• 4–6 years of factory automation experience in a manufacturing environment or with an automation/system integrator.
• Strong understanding of material handling, manufacturing processes, and logistics flow in manufacturing or warehouse environments.
• Hands-on PLC programming and controls design experience, with the ability to translate customer requirements and technical data into system designs and recommendations.
• Experience with electrical/electronic components and industrial control systems.
• Ability to develop and interpret technical documentation, controls designs, and electrical drawings.
• Troubleshooting, problem-solving, project execution, teamwork, time management, customer communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to independently manage assigned technical work through completion.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with automotive manufacturing and AGV/AMR systems, including system design, simulation, commissioning, or traffic control.
• Experience with PLC/HMI platforms, including Omron, Mitsubishi, and/or Allen-Bradley, and HMI platforms such as Pro-face.
• Experience with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and/or Visio.
• Experience with Daifuku AGV systems.
• PC programming experience is a plus.

Travel and Work Environment

Embrace the adventure of 50% domestic travel, with occasional trips to Canada! This role is based out of our Maryville, TN branch or Itasca, IL HQ and involves working at customer facilities. You'll be part of the action during system installation, commissioning, training, and support. Expect to travel by car and airplane, with overnight stays required. At manufacturing sites, you'll encounter moving machinery and moderate to loud noise, so adherence to site safety procedures is essential.

Physical Requirements

This role requires speaking, listening, sitting, and the use of hands and fingers. It may also involve standing, walking, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting or carrying heavy objects, and close vision while working at customer sites.