Commissioning Controls Engineer

Fives Cinetic is looking for new talent to join our team!  This position is for a Commissioning Controls Engineer located in Farmington Hills, MI. 

Our team is comprised of talented professionals who are the best in the industry.  Fives Cinetic Corp. produces automated manufacturing systems.  As an employee at Fives, you will join a people-centric company with a culture of encouraging new ideas and suggestions.  We value teamwork, integrity, quality, innovation, and dynamic engagement. 

We believe people are the most important part of every business, which is why we offer more benefits than a great health insurance plan.  We have a strong track record of retaining our employees AND providing challenging work experiences, development opportunities, and a collaborative environment.  We offer paid time off, 401k plan, referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and a complete and very competitive benefit package.

The Commissioning Controls Engineer is responsible for preparing, installing, debugging, and validating automated equipment at customer sites. This role acts as the primary technical link between Controls Engineering, Project Management, Service, and the Customer—resolving controls issues, managing corrective actions, and ensuring a smooth transition from software design to field commissioning. The engineer is responsible for performing the full machine debug after installation and providing technical support for any required service visits. Additional responsibilities include supervising contractors when needed, supporting customer acceptance activities, delivering customer training, and traveling on short notice as required.

Project & Software Development Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Controls Engineering team to ensure software project phases are delivered on time and within budget.
• Serve as a key interface between the Software Engineering team and Project Management, Engineering, Service, and the Customer, ensuring alignment and timely communication.
• Ensure the completeness and accuracy of the software design prior to power‑on to reduce debugging time and improve startup efficiency.
• Provide a full and effective handoff of software deliverables to the Validation Team, including required documentation and software templates.

Understand, design, implement, and support all control software programming, including PLC, HMI, Vision Systems, Motion Control, and Robotic applications

Field Service, Installation & Start‑Up

• Perform start‑up and debug of equipment installations, acting both as a Controls Engineer and as a Site Supervisor when required.
• Provide on‑site field support, remote support, and technical assistance to the Sales Team and Aftermarket Team as needed.
• Maintain effective communication with the Project Manager (as the single point of contact) and project personnel regarding equipment and controls requirements during a project.
• For equipment under warranty, maintain clear and timely communication with the Aftermarket Director, Aftermarket Team, and other Technicians.
• Support the customer during installation, commissioning, debug, and acceptance‑testing activities, ensuring customer satisfaction.

General & Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel to customer locations by air or car on short notice, within the US, Canada or globally. 
• Ability to work with the onsite Controls Engineering team between field service assignments as needed (refer to Software Engineer position description for qualifications).

1. Requires 4 - 7 years of experience in the field of automation controls for the automotive industry
2. Several years of software experience with Rockwell and/or Siemens PLC and HMI platforms, or related controls engineering role.
3. Experience interfacing with Fanuc and/or ABB robots, hands-on robotic programming and/or debug experience is preferred.
4. Motion Controls experience with different types of Servo Drives and Variable Frequency Drives.
5. Industrial Networks experience such as Ethernet I/P, Profibus, Profinet, Remote I/O.
6. Plant floor experience required.
7. Experience interfacing with Cognex and/or Keyence vision systems, hands-on vision setup experience is preferred.
8. Organized, detail oriented, self-motivated, with strong verbal and written communication skills

1. Supervise and lead all assigned controls contractor during project installation, start‑up phases, debug and service activities.
2. Manage all field service reports for assigned service activities, including reports from all Controls Fives‑participating contractors onsite if required.
3. Ensure customer approval and formal sign‑off are obtained for all work performed.
4. Maintain effective and professional communication with the customer throughout start‑up, debug, support, and service activities.
5. Manage project labor utilization, including tracking available hours versus hours used for assigned projects and ensuring alignment with project requirements if required.

1. Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical Engineering or similar field.

• Full time position.
• Must be willing to travel up to 80% of time.