JOB DESCRIPTION
Controls & Automation Engineer
At Adient, we value your character just as much as your qualifications. For us, this is more than a job — it’s a commitment to ownership, teamwork, and impact. We are building a global community where every employee is empowered to make a difference.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all employees — regardless of race, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, caste, disability, union membership, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or career stage — can clearly see how their work contributes to our customers and consumers around the world.
If you are passionate about innovation, problem-solving, and advancing smart manufacturing technologies, we invite you to join our team.
Controls Engineering
Maintain the integrity, reliability, and performance of machine and equipment control systems across the campus.
Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC-based control systems.
Develop, maintain, and modify:
PLC programs (Rockwell SLC 500, Logix 5000, Siemens Step 7)
Ladder logic and function block programming
Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot SCADA systems interfacing with PLCs and MS SQL databases, including Ignition platforms.
Review, diagnose, and troubleshoot existing control programs in response to production, maintenance, or customer-related issues.
Automation Engineering
Plan, design, and coordinate automation solutions for new and existing manufacturing equipment.
Lead full automation system integration including: Robotics, Vision systems, Servo motion control,Automated material handling systems.
Develop and implement standardized automation architectures to improve scalability, reliability, and long-term maintainability.
Support digital manufacturing initiatives, including data collection strategies and system connectivity to enterprise platforms such as MES systems, SQL databases, and reporting tools.
Electrical & System Design
Develop equipment specifications with emphasis on electrical and controls systems.
Create and review electrical schematics, panel layouts, and control cabinet designs for new and modified equipment.
Support PC systems, servers, industrial networking, and communications infrastructure, including serial/parallel networks, Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, and related protocols.
Operational Support & Continuous Improvement
Collaborate closely with production and maintenance teams to support daily operations and drive long-term performance improvements.
Identify and implement automation and controls enhancements to improve safety, quality, uptime, and overall operational efficiency.
Mentor and train maintenance and engineering personnel on controls and automation systems.
Complete all required training as mandated by Adient and its customers.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Engineering Manager.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics, or related field) required.
Non-degree candidates may be considered with 7+ years of relevant manufacturing controls and automation experience.
Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience, preferably within automotive or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
Technical Expertise:
PLC programming (Rockwell, Siemens)
SCADA development and maintenance (Ignition preferred)
MS SQL and data-driven automation
Industrial networking and communications
Robotics and automated systems integration
Electrical design and documentation
Python programming language
Core Competencies:
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and root-cause problem-solving skills
Excellent communication skills with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts
Effective time management and a customer-focused mindset
Ability to thrive in a collaborative, team-based, participative environment
Requirements
1st Shift: 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (weekend work may be required based on overtime needs).
Must be available for on-call support after regular shift hours and participate in a rotating weekend on-call schedule.
PRIMARY LOCATION
Lakewood
What We Do
Adient is a global leader in automotive seating. With approximately 77,000 employees in 32 countries, Adient operates 202 manufacturing/assembly plants worldwide. We produce and deliver automotive seating for all major OEMs. From complete seating systems to individual components, our expertise spans every step of the automotive seat-making process. Our integrated, in-house skills allow us to take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing — and into more than 19 million vehicles every year.
