Controls Hardware Design Engineer

Controls Hardware Engineer Madison Heights, MI

Summary Our client designs, builds, and installs turnkey robotic gantry and process-cell systems for automotive, aerospace, and general industrial customers. We're seeking a Controls Hardware Engineer to design and document the electrical control systems behind these automation platforms, primarily using Siemens hardware and AutoCAD Electrical.

Responsibilities

• Design electrical control systems for custom robotic gantry and process-cell automation, from concept through build-ready documentation.
• Develop control panel layouts, schematics, and wiring diagrams in AutoCAD (AutoCAD Electrical).
• Specify and select Siemens hardware; PLCs, drives, HMIs, and networking components for each system build.
• Collaborate with mechanical, robotics, and software/controls engineering teams to ensure hardware designs align with overall machine function and program requirements.
• Support the bill of materials (BOM) process, ensuring component selections are accurate, available, and cost-appropriate.
• Review and incorporate customer electrical standards and specifications into design documentation.
• Troubleshoot electrical/hardware design issues during build, panel shop fabrication, and in-house checkout.
• Support project engineers and controls software engineers through design reviews and design changes.

Qualifications

Bachelor or associate degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent hands-on experience in industrial controls hardware design.

3-5 years of experience designing automation controls systems using AutoCAD

Experience with Siemens controls platforms (e.g., SIMATIC PLCs, Siemens drives/HMI) in an industrial automation environment.

Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for control panel and schematic design.

Working knowledge of NFPA 79 and/or relevant electrical/automation industry standards.

Experience designing controls for robotic systems, gantries, or general-purpose industrial automation is strongly preferred.

Automotive industry / GM program experience is a plus.

EPLAN experience is a plus.

Pneumatic understanding is a plus.