Entry Level Electrical Engineer Jobs in Gadsden, AL

Controls Engineer

Location: Eastaboga, AL 36260
Shifts Available: 1st Shift and 2nd Shift (5:00 PM - 2:00 AM)
Flexibility Required

Adient is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to join our manufacturing team in Eastaboga, AL. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on troubleshooting, automation, robotics, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment.

As a Controls Engineer, you will play a critical role in maintaining and improving automated production equipment, supporting plant operations, increasing equipment reliability, and driving manufacturing efficiency. You will work closely with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and Launch teams to support a highly automated manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Automation & Controls Support

• Troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues involving PLCs, robotics, HMIs, drives, and automated manufacturing systems.
• Support maintenance personnel in diagnosing and correcting control system failures.
• Troubleshoot Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC ladder logic, data handling functions, and machine control systems.
• Maintain PLC programs, backups, electrical schematics, and controls documentation.
• Develop and manage control system preventive maintenance programs.

Equipment Reliability & Maintenance

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and improve automated manufacturing equipment to support production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Improve equipment uptime and contribute to overall plant reliability initiatives.
• Support troubleshooting of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electronic systems.
• Assist in identifying recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.

Robotics & Manufacturing Technology

• Support robotic cells, automation systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies throughout the facility.
• Troubleshoot and maintain Fanuc robotic systems and related automation equipment.
• Support barcode scanners, sensors, remote I/O systems, servo drives, relays, HMIs, and related control components.
• Assist with machine startups, equipment modifications, and production launches.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in cross-functional continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Implement error-proofing (Poka-Yoke) solutions throughout the manufacturing process.
• Participate in 8D, 5 Why, and root cause investigations to resolve production abnormalities.
• Identify opportunities to improve process performance, equipment reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Implement and maintain plant floor data collection systems.
• Support manufacturing performance reporting and automated data gathering.
• Analyze production data to identify opportunities for process optimization and equipment improvements.

Capital Projects & Equipment Launches

• Support new equipment installations and manufacturing launches.
• Review controls drawings and specifications for new equipment purchases.
• Participate in equipment design reviews, build approvals, commissioning, and final acceptance activities.
• Assess process impacts related to engineering changes, launches, and equipment modifications.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of Controls Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong Allen-Bradley PLC troubleshooting experience is required.
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics and controls drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting skills involving industrial automation systems.
• Ability to support production in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred:

• Automotive manufacturing experience, preferably within a Just-in-Time (JIT) operation.
• Fanuc Robotics programming and troubleshooting experience.
• PLC programming experience in addition to troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Experience with industrial control wiring methods and electrical systems.
• Experience supporting automated assembly, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

We are open to candidates early in their engineering careers who have developed strong PLC and automation skills through:

• Manufacturing internships
• Co-op programs
• Engineering technician experience
• Entry-level controls engineering positions

Why Join Adient?

• Work with advanced robotics and automation technology.
• Gain exposure to highly automated automotive manufacturing systems.
• Partner with experienced engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.
• Participate in plant-wide continuous improvement and capital projects.
• Opportunity for long-term career growth within a global manufacturing organization.
• Play a direct role in driving safety, quality, productivity, and operational excellence.

This is an exciting opportunity for a technically driven engineer who enjoys solving complex problems and making a direct impact on manufacturing performance.

Adient (NYSE: ADNT) is a global leader in automotive seating. With more than 65,000 employees in 29 countries, Adient operates ~200 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. We take our products from research and design to engineering and manufacturing — and into millions of vehicles every year. For more information, please visit www.adient.com.