Summary
AmSafe, a division of TransDigm, is seeking a highly motivated and technically strong Controls Engineer to join our operations team in Phoenix, Arizona. This hands-on role is critical to advancing our automation strategy and strengthening our manufacturing capabilities. We are looking for a leader who embodies our culture — thinking and acting like an owner, demonstrating accountability, maintaining a strong sense of urgency, and driving results through innovation and teamwork. The Controls Engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting control systems across our manufacturing operations while identifying and integrating new technologies that create long-term value for the business.
Scope and Responsibilities:
The Controls Engineer will lead the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing systems. This role focuses on PLC programming, robotic integration, machine vision systems (including Keyence and Cognex vision platforms), motion control, and advanced manufacturing technologies. The position requires strong technical expertise combined with ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and data-driven decision making. This individual will serve as a technology champion, helping modernize operations while maintaining safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Essential Functions:
Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for manufacturing equipment and automated processes.
Develop and support robotic applications including programming, integration, and optimization of industrial robots.
Design, implement, and maintain machine vision systems, including Keyence and Cognex vision platforms, for inspection, validation, and process control.
Integrate sensors, motors, actuators, servo systems, safety circuits, and HMI interfaces into reliable automated solutions.
Lead root cause investigations related to automated equipment failures using structured, data-driven methods.
Develop standardized controls architecture and documentation to ensure system reliability and scalability.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Operations to support new product introductions and automation projects.
Evaluate and recommend new automation technologies, robotics platforms, vision systems, and digital manufacturing tools.
Lead capital automation projects from concept through installation, validation, and production handoff.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that increase uptime, throughput, quality, and labor productivity.
Champion cybersecurity and controls best practices for industrial automation systems.
Provide technical mentorship and training to maintenance and engineering teams on controls systems and new technologies.
Operate, program, and troubleshoot systems using Studio 5000 software and vision systems.
Install, configure, and maintain SCHUNK sensors, SMC components, Banner sensors, proximity sensors, retroreflective sensors, fiber optic sensors, light curtain sensors, and other industrial sensors and automation devices.
Perform diagnostics and ensure proper functionality of sensors and related control systems.
Design and update HMI screens to improve operator usability and process visibility.
Develop automatic production and performance reports to support data-driven decisions.
Technology & Innovation Leadership:
Continuously research emerging automation technologies and assess their business impact.
Develop automation roadmaps aligned with operational and strategic objectives.
Pilot and implement advanced technologies including AI-driven inspection, smart sensors, and digital manufacturing tools.
Simplify and standardize controls systems to reduce complexity and long-term maintenance burden.
Balance short-term operational needs with long-term technology investments.
Competencies:
Ownership & Accountability – Think and act like an owner; deliver measurable results.
Bias for Action – Demonstrate urgency and decisiveness in solving technical challenges.
Analytical Thinking – Apply data-driven problem-solving to complex automation systems.
Collaboration – Work cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations.
Continuous Improvement – Simplify processes and drive automation performance gains.
Technical Leadership – Serve as a subject matter expert in controls and robotics.
Communication – Provide clear, concise, and open communication across teams.
Qualifications and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field required.
Minimum 3–5 years of experience in industrial controls and automation engineering.
Strong experience programming PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent).
Hands-on experience integrating industrial robots (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots, or equivalent).
Experience implementing and troubleshooting Keyence and Cognex vision systems or similar machine vision platforms.
Experience with motion control systems, servo drives, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.).
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control panel layouts.
Experience managing automation-related capital projects preferred.
Lean or Six Sigma experience is a plus.
Work Environment:
This role operates in both office and manufacturing environments with significant time spent on the production floor. The Controls Engineer will work directly with automated equipment, electrical panels, and robotics systems. Standard office tools such as computers and communication systems are routinely used.
Position Details:
This is a salaried, exempt, full-time position. Work hours may exceed 40 hours per week based on project timelines and operational needs. Limited travel may be required for vendor visits, training, or technology evaluations.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without current or future employer sponsorship
Equal Opportunity Employer:
AmSafe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in employment because of a person’s race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, genetics, marital status, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, veteran’s status, gender identity or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The attached job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals. AmSafe reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the company desires. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying the position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “at-will.” This position requires access to technology that is controlled under U.S. export control regulations, specifically the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The successful applicant must be a U.S. Person as defined by the regulations.