Controls Engineer
HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, United States
Job Description
About Metalsa: We are a global leader with over 65 years of experience in the automotive industry, manufacturing safe, sustainable products that move people around the world. We’re building a better future by enriching communities every day—driven by our commitment to people, innovation, and our planet.
Role Objective: As a Controls Engineer, you will help ensure all robots, PLCs, and peripheral equipment operate properly and safely through standardization and continuous improvement. You'll lead the execution of the ODiX Digital Transformation in the plant, driving the rollout of Industry 4.0 technologies, increasing adoption, and supporting the consolidation of expected behaviors and value creation.
What will your day look like?
- Train maintenance technicians on controls so they can troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair automated equipment on their own.
- Respond to escalated calls from maintenance technicians on troubleshooting, diagnostics, or repair tasks involving automated equipment.
- Control, document, validate, and manage changes to controls systems and processes.
- Ensure software governance by keeping documentation, parameters, and programs current and backed up on a regular basis.
- Support new projects related to controls and automation.
- Lead the implementation of ODiX and Industry 4.0 products across the plant.
- Work in a safe manner and encourage others to do the same.
- Report all unsafe acts and conditions immediately.
- Use our Innovation process and the team concept to improve safety in the plant.
- Be proactively involved in improving working conditions.
- Develop solutions that improve product and process quality through automation and 4.0 ideas.
- Help maintain the appearance of a World Class facility.
- Actively support full implementation of the 5S's, keeping all areas clean, neat, and properly maintained.
- Improve the reliability of controls systems through standardization and problem solving / continuous improvement.
- Track KPIs related to the area and develop projects to improve them.
- Develop and implement improvements and ideas to reduce cost.
- Stay actively involved with the Metalsa Model and MOS practices.
- Take on additional responsibilities as needed—this role evolves as the needs of the department change.
Education & Experience
- 2-year degree in electronics, computer science, or equivalent experience (required); Engineering degree in Automation, Controls, or Electronics preferred.
- A minimum of 2 years' experience programming and troubleshooting robotics equipment, preferably Fanuc and PLC programming (required).
- A minimum of 3 years' proven experience in industrial equipment, equipment specification, and equipment installation (required).
- Experience implementing 4.0 technologies and data analysis (preferred).
Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Proficient computer skills across the Microsoft suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
- Thorough understanding of the operation, control, and adjustment of automation.
- Experience writing operational procedures, documentation systems, and project management.
- Quality systems management.
- Human development management.
- Knowledge of core manufacturing processes (Stamping, Assembly, Painting, Welding, Hydroforming).
- Strong analysis and problem-solving methodology.
- Advanced computational skills (Office proficiency, Power BI, software programming).
- Automation skills, including PLC & HMI programming, industrial networks, communication protocols for industrial automation, and hardware & software selection and implementation.
- Regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
- Frequently required to use hands to handle or touch.
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to visually focus.
Physical Requirements:
Why You’ll Love Working Here: At Metalsa, you’ll enjoy competitive pay, excellent benefits, endless opportunities to grow your career.
Your Perks Include:
- Vacation, personal time, and paid holidays.
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance.
- Paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
- 401(k) company match, flexible spending account (FSA), health reimbursement account (HRA).
- Tuition reimbursement, advancement opportunities, and professional training programs.
- Exclusive employee discounts and more!
Job Info
- Job Schedule: Full time
- Flexibility required: employees may be asked to work overtime or off-shift hours to support production, maintenance, and project schedules.
- Locations 301 Bill Bryan Boulevard, HOPKINSVILLE, KENTUCKY, 42240, US
About Metalsa: We are a global Mexican company with more than 60 years of experience in the automotive industry, we manufacture safe and sustainable products for people around the world, seeking to minimize the environmental impact through innovation in our processes and products. For more information visit www.metalsa.com
Skills Required
- Two-year degree in electronics, computer science, or equivalent experience
- At least two years of experience programming and troubleshooting robotic equipment
- PLC programming experience
- Fanuc robotics experience
- At least three years of experience with industrial equipment, equipment specification, and equipment installation
- Engineering degree in automation, controls, or electronics
- Experience implementing Industry 4.0 technologies and data analysis
- PLC and HMI programming, industrial networks, and automation communication protocols
- Microsoft Office proficiency, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Power BI and software programming skills
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes including stamping, assembly, painting, welding, and hydroforming
Metalsa Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Metalsa and has not been reviewed or approved by Metalsa.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for manufacturing roles and often described as good or great. Feedback suggests total earnings can be strong when overtime opportunities are available.
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Healthcare Strength — Health insurance is frequently characterized as strong, with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. Feedback suggests plan quality contributes meaningfully to overall satisfaction.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is regularly highlighted as part of the package. Feedback suggests this feature boosts the perceived value of total compensation.
Metalsa Insights
What We Do
Metalsa is a private company and a subsidiary of Proeza Group. We manufacture tier 1 structural components for the light and commercial vehicle markets. We are constantly growing and innovating. Having state of the art technology that keeps products at the forefront. Our portfolio includes structural components for light trucks as well as chassis frames, side rails, and cross members of heavy trucks and buses. For us, our collaborators are the engine of the company and everyone works together to achieve our vision; “Together, we build the future of lightweight vehicle structures through innovation-driven solutions”. Our culture is a strong asset to foster collaboration and communication in order to support efficient decision-making processes. We continually strive to eliminate barriers of collaboration and seek for human development and the well-being of our communities. We create a multicultural team of more than 11,000 employees around the world giving Metalsa the opportunity to offer solutions to the customer with a strategically global perspective.
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