Sr. Lead Controls Engineer

Position Overview

International of Alabama is seeking a highly skilled Senior Lead Controls Engineer to play a critical role in supporting and advancing our T14 Transmission operations. This role serves as a technical leader and key liaison between engineering, maintenance, and production teams, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing performance.

The Senior Lead Controls Engineer will provide hands-on day-to-day production support while driving continuous improvement initiatives across controls, automation, and electrical systems. This includes the design, implementation, optimization, and troubleshooting of PLC- and HMI-based control systems, as well as oversight of industrial networks and power distribution supporting current and future assembly lines.

In this role, you will lead controls-related projects from concept through commissioning, influence equipment standards, and mentor junior engineers and technicians. You will partner closely with cross-functional stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues, reduce downtime, improve throughput, and enhance system robustness in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This position requires a balance of strategic thinking, hands-on technical expertise, and strong communication skills to support production targets and long-term operational excellence.

The Huntsville facility runs a 4x10 production schedule (Mon-Thurs, 6:30AM - 5:00PM).

Responsibilities

• Lead controls strategies and solutions that maximize uptime, throughput, and first‑time‑through quality across automated engine and transmission assembly lines.
• Serve as the primary controls escalation point for powertrain operations, delivering cross‑functional troubleshooting for issues impacting safety, torque accuracy, traceability, and line performance.
• Design, program, and standardize Siemens‑based control systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA) for new launches, line upgrades, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation issues involving motion, safety systems, and industrial networks (Profinet/Profibus), applying root‑cause analysis to prevent recurrence and reduce downtime.
• Oversee controls integration activities, including equipment installation, commissioning, upgrades, and long‑term system support within high‑volume automotive environments.
• Evaluate and select automation and electrical equipment to meet automotive performance, reliability, lifecycle cost, and manufacturing standards.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, technicians, maintenance, and process teams while maintaining robust controls documentation and OEM technical compliance.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of product manufacturing experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• Master's degree and at least 3 years of product manufacturing experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

OR

• At least 8 years of product manufacturing experience
• At least 1 years of lead experience

Additional Requirements

• Qualified candidates, excluding current employees, must be legally authorized on an unrestricted basis (US Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, Refugee or Asylee) to be employed in the United States. We do not anticipate providing employment related work sponsorship for this position (e.g., H-1B status)

Desired Skills

• Hands‑on experience with PLC programming across major platforms such as Allen‑Bradley and Siemens, including system modification and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of HMI and SCADA systems for monitoring, control, and diagnostics in automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience with industrial robotics (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa), including setup, teaching, integration, and troubleshooting.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work independently in fast‑paced production settings.
• Experience with vision systems (e.g., FANUC iRVision, Keyence, Cognex) supporting inspection, verification, and poka‑yoke applications.
• Exposure to manufacturing data systems, including SQL databases, MES controls (preferred), and integration with automation platforms.
• Familiarity with factory automation infrastructure, such as AGVs and medium‑/low‑voltage power distribution, with willingness to support international travel as needed.

Benefits and Compensation

This position offers competitive market-based compensation, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee wellbeing. You can learn more about the benefits offered for this position by visiting https://careers.international.com/#benefits.The expected salary offered for this position will fall within the stated range, with the final offer based on the candidates' applicable skills, knowledge, and experience.

Company Overview

About TRATONWith its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus,TRATONSE is the parent and holding company of theTRATONGROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group’s product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. “Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.”: this intention underlines the Company’s ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group’s commercial growth.

About InternationalFrom a one-man company built on the world-changing invention of the McCormick reaper in 1831, to the 15,000-person-strong company we are today, few companies can lay claim to a history like International. Based in Lisle, Illinois, International Motors, LLC* creates solutions that deliver greater uptime and productivity to our customers throughout the full operation of our commercial vehicles. We build International® trucks and engines and IC Bus® school and commercial buses that are as tough and as smart as the people who drive them. We also develop Fleetrite® aftermarket parts. In everything we do, our vision is to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility to create the cleaner, safer world we all deserve. As of 2021, we joined Scania, MAN and Volkswagen Truck & Bus in TRATON GROUP, a global champion of the truck and transport services industry. To learn more, visitInternational.com.

*International Motors, LLC is d/b/a International Motors USA in Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to access the online application system or participate in the interview process due to your disability, please email HUB@International.com to request assistance. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response. Otherwise, your request may not be considered.

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