MES Developer

Description

The company is looking for a controls and MES engineer to help build a manufacturing automation system from the ground up for a large automotive manufacturer in Warren, Michigan.

This is a new-build role focused on development and implementation, not on maintaining existing equipment. You will design, program, connect and commission controls and manufacturing systems, with the main focus on Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition and PLC-to-MES links.

The team wants someone who has taken automation systems from first design through commissioning and production launch, and who has built PLC, HMI/SCADA and MES functions by hand rather than only changing or fixing systems that already exist. The strongest candidates have built controls systems from scratch and are not mainly from a production support or maintenance background.

The company runs long-term projects for customers facing difficult problems.

Responsibilities

• Write new Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix PLC programs from scratch in Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000.
• Build the PLC structure, including ladder logic, tag layouts, UDTs, AOIs, sequencing, diagnostics, alarms and equipment interfaces.
• Create Ignition HMI/SCADA applications with screens, tags, scripts, alarms, communications and system setup.
• Build the communication between PLCs and MES systems, including the handshake and transaction logic for manufacturing operations.
• Handle work-order checks, part and serial-number traceability, recipe and model management, production reporting and pass/fail transactions.
• Connect barcode scanners, RFID readers and other production tracking devices.
• Set up Zebra industrial label printers and write the ZPL code they need.
• Automate label printing triggered by production events, work orders and cycle completion.
• Carry out controls startup, debugging, commissioning, FAT and SAT, and production launch.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, MES, network and equipment communication problems as they arise.
• Work with manufacturing engineering, IT and MES teams, equipment integrators and plant staff throughout the rollout.
• Maintain controls documentation, system architecture, backups and commissioning records.

Requirements

• Solid hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix and with Studio 5000 or RSLogix 5000.
• A track record of writing new PLC programs from scratch for equipment, stations or production lines.
• Hands-on work with Inductive Automation Ignition.
• Experience building Ignition screens, tags, scripts and/or application architecture.
• Experience connecting PLCs to MES or other manufacturing information systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing transactions, including 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 taking a controls project through the full lifecycle, from design and development through integration, startup, commissioning and production launch.
• Preferred: a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, mechatronics, automation, industrial engineering or a related discipline.

Conditions

The role is based in Warren, Michigan.

Candidates who need a federal security clearance must state their clearance level clearly on their resume.

Benefits

• Compensation, benefits and a flexible work-life balance are offered.