Ignition Developer

Description

The role supports a ground-up manufacturing automation project for a large automotive manufacturer in Warren, Michigan.

This is a new-build development and implementation position, not sustaining or maintenance work. You will design, program, integrate and commission controls and manufacturing systems, with a major focus on Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition and PLC-to-MES integration.

The company is looking for someone who has taken automation systems from initial design through commissioning and production launch, and who has built PLC, HMI/SCADA and MES functionality hands-on rather than only changing or troubleshooting existing systems.

Responsibilities

• Build Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix PLC programs from scratch in Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000.
• Architect PLC code covering ladder logic, tag structures, UDTs, AOIs, sequencing, diagnostics, alarms and equipment interfaces.
• Create Ignition HMI/SCADA applications, including screens, tags, scripts, alarms, communications and system configuration.
• Build the communication between PLCs and MES systems, including the transaction and handshake logic for manufacturing operations.
• Support work-order verification, part and serial-number traceability, recipe and model management, production reporting and pass/fail transactions.
• Integrate barcode scanners, RFID readers and other production tracking equipment.
• Set up and integrate Zebra industrial label printers, writing and deploying the ZPL code.
• Build automated label printing tied to production events, work orders and cycle completion.
• Lead controls startup, debugging, commissioning, FAT and SAT, and production launch.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, MES, network and equipment communication faults as they arise.
• Work alongside manufacturing engineering, IT/MES teams, equipment integrators and plant staff throughout the project.
• Maintain controls documentation, system architecture records, backups and commissioning records.

Requirements

• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix and with Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000.
• Proven record of writing new PLC programs from scratch for equipment, stations or production lines.
• Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition.
• Experience building Ignition screens, tags, scripts and/or application architecture.
• Experience connecting PLCs to MES or other manufacturing information systems.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing transactions such as work-order validation, traceability, recipes, production reporting and serial-number tracking.
• Experience commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across controls hardware, PLC software, industrial networks and production systems.
• Experience in automotive or other high-volume discrete manufacturing.
• Preferred: experience generating ZPL code and integrating Zebra industrial printers.
• Preferred: experience with barcode and RFID-based production traceability.
• Preferred: Ignition Vision and/or Perspective development experience.
• Preferred: industrial networking experience with Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, SQL or related communication technologies.
• Preferred: experience carrying a controls project through the full lifecycle, from design to development, integration, startup, commissioning and production launch.
• Preferred: bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• The strongest candidates have built controls systems from the ground up, covering PLC programming, Ignition development and PLC-to-MES integration.
• The role suits an engineer who has built and commissioned new manufacturing systems, not someone whose background is mainly production support or maintenance.
• If the position requires a federal security clearance, state your clearance level clearly on your resume.

Conditions

The role is based in Warren, Michigan, at the customer's site.

The position is full-time new-build work, not maintenance.

Equal-opportunity statement: applicants are considered without regard to protected characteristics.

Benefits

• The company offers competitive pay, benefits and a flexible work-life balance.
• Team members have direct access to the company owners.