As an Automation Engineer, Powertrain, you will support the development, deployment, and optimization of automated manufacturing equipment used in Powertrain production. This role focuses on implementing, debugging, and improving control systems to meet throughput, safety, and quality requirements, while operating within established standards and under the guidance of senior automation engineers.
You will contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and support the transition of equipment from development into production, working closely with Manufacturing, Controls, Quality, Maintenance, and external equipment partners.
You Will:
- Support the implementation and maintenance of equipment control systems, including equipment I/Os and fundamental machine logic
- Assist with layout engineering efforts to support and optimize Powertrain line layouts, material flow, and equipment integration
- Support automation systems involving robotics, end-of-arm tooling, pick-and-place automation, position sensors, material handling systems, fluid dispensing, vision systems, conveyors, and laser cleaning or welding equipment
- Apply existing company, factory, and line-level controls standards and specifications when developing or modifying equipment controls
- Support data collection and connectivity between machines and plant systems to enable traceability, machine status reporting, and process monitoring
- Write, modify, and debug PLC code under established architectures and standards, with an emphasis on structure, documentation, and maintainability
- Support integration between PLCs and subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), machine vision systems, and third-party equipment
- Implement and maintain safety-related control functions in accordance with established ANSI/RIA15.06 and OSHA requirements, with guidance as needed
- Develop and update Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens to support equipment operation, alarms, and basic troubleshooting
- Support external equipment integrators during build, installation, and commissioning through design reviews and issue resolution
- Participate in equipment testing, installation, and buy-off activities at vendor sites and Lucid facilities
- Assist with training Maintenance and Production teams on automated equipment operation and basic troubleshooting
- Support machine-to-MES interactions to communicate machine status, process parameters, and product acceptability
- Troubleshoot and optimize automated equipment to improve cycle time, uptime, and yield, escalating complex issues when appropriate
You Bring:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field
- 5+ years of experience in an Automation Engineering or Controls Engineering role within a manufacturing environment, preferably automotive or high-volume production
- Working knowledge of electromechanical and mechatronic systems and their integration into automated equipment
- Familiarity with industrial safety standards and safe automation practices (ANSI/RIA15.06, OSHA)
- Hands-on experience programming and supporting industrial automation equipment, including:
- PLCs (Allen Bradley and/or Siemens); exposure to Safety PLCs is a plus
- Human Machine Interfaces such as Ignition, FactoryTalk, or Siemens WinCC
- Industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP or PROFINET
- Basic serial and Ethernet communications between PLCs, devices, and databases
- Ability to read, modify, and debug PLC programs with a structured approach to code organization and documentation
- Experience supporting automated machinery and industrial sensors such as photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, pressure transducers, dispense systems, and temperature controllers
- Exposure to robotics systems; experience with Fanuc robots is a plus
- Exposure to vision systems such as Cognex or Keyence is desired
- Experience supporting equipment from build through installation and into production preferred
- Familiarity with production metrics, downtime analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies is a plus
- Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical drawings; experience with 3D CAD tools such as SolidWorks or CATIA is a plus
