Controls Engineer Project Manager Jobs in Detroit, MI

Job Title: Project Controls Engineer

Job Description

The Project Controls Engineer provides plant-level engineering support on automation projects within automotive manufacturing facilities. This role serves as a key liaison between the manufacturer and system integrators, ensuring that automation equipment installations and upgrades meet established controls standards, project timelines, and production requirements. The position is highly project-driven and requires strong technical oversight, coordination with integrators, and strict adherence to global controls and manufacturing standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee automation projects executed by system integrators within manufacturing facilities, ensuring alignment with plant objectives and production needs.
• Ensure integrators program and implement automation systems in accordance with Global Common Controls Software (GCCS) standards and Global Common Controls Hardware standards.
• Track project timelines, milestones, and deliverables to ensure on-time completion that supports production schedules and launch dates.
• Coordinate daily with stakeholders, system integrators, and cross-functional teams to resolve technical and project-related issues and drive progress.
• Validate that all equipment and systems meet established standards for controls, safety, and manufacturing processes before deployment and handover to operations.
• Identify project risks, escalate issues when necessary, and implement corrective actions to keep automation and integration projects on track.
• Support troubleshooting and debugging efforts during system integration, commissioning, and launch phases to ensure stable and reliable operation.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including status reports, technical records, and communication updates for key stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance on controls engineering and automation best practices to support consistent implementation across multiple production lines.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering and production teams to ensure automation solutions integrate effectively with existing processes and equipment.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience working with GCCS/GCCH standards or equivalent global common controls standards in an industrial automation environment.
• Proven experience leading automation and integration projects, including managing timelines, milestones, and deliverables.
• Experience in controls engineering with hands-on experience in PLC programming and industrial automation systems.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes within high-volume production environments.
• Knowledge of electrical and hardware aspects of automation systems, including control panels, sensors, and field devices.
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders and integrators.
• Ability to interpret and apply global controls and manufacturing standards to real-world automation projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot and debug control systems during integration and commissioning.
• Effective communication skills for daily interaction with plant personnel, integrator engineers, and cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working directly within large automotive manufacturing facilities or similar high-volume production environments.
• Experience in both software and hardware aspects of industrial control systems, including configuration and validation.
• Familiarity with safety standards and best practices related to automated equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to create and maintain clear project documentation, including technical notes, status updates, and risk logs.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, project-driven environment with evolving priorities and tight production deadlines.
• Exposure to commissioning new production lines and supporting launch activities for automated manufacturing equipment.

Work Environment

This role is based on-site at large automotive manufacturing plants. The Project Controls Engineer works primarily within plant environments, spending time on the production floor and in engineering or project offices. The position involves daily interaction with plant personnel, including operations staff, maintenance teams, and manufacturing engineers, as well as regular collaboration with engineers from system integrators who are executing automation projects. The work is closely tied to production schedules and commissioning activities, requiring flexibility to support integration, testing, and launch phases of new or upgraded production lines. The environment is highly technical, project-focused, and collaborative, with exposure to advanced automation technologies, controls systems, and large-scale manufacturing equipment.

This is a Contract position based out of Novi, MI.

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Novi,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.