Challenge Manufacturing
Overview
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OT Automation Engineer
role at
Challenge Manufacturing . Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. Our core values are safety, ownership, and teamwork. Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America with an ESOP program that grants shares to all employee-owners annually. Who We Want
We are seeking an OT Automation Engineer to lead automation initiatives across multiple automotive plants. This role ensures high-performance, secure, and reliable OT/automation systems, including Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics systems are deployed and optimized to support high-volume production, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and new vehicle program launches. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in automation and robotics with multi-plant operational experience, driving efficiency, uptime, quality, and cross-functional collaboration. What You'll Do
Lead design, deployment, and optimization of multi-plant automation systems, including Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics. Develop and standardize automation and controls practices across all plants to ensure consistency, reliability, and compliance with automotive standards (IATF 16949, ISO 10218). Oversee integration of automation systems with MES, SCADA, IIoT, and analytics platforms for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, including AI/ML for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and quality monitoring. Collaborate with Production, Engineering, OT, and IT teams to optimize throughput, line efficiency, uptime, and quality KPIs. Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation and robotics issues across multiple sites, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal production impact. Support new vehicle program launches and plant expansions with robust automation integration, testing, and commissioning. Evaluate, recommend, and deploy emerging automation technologies, including collaborative robots (cobots), AMRs, AGVs, and digital twin solutions. Establish automation KPIs, monitor performance across plants, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Mentor and develop Controls & Robotics Engineers and technicians across sites. Ensure OT cybersecurity and secure connectivity for automation and robotics systems, in collaboration with IT/OT teams. Maintain detailed SOPs, technical documentation, system manuals, and disaster recovery plans for multi-plant operations. Participate in lean manufacturing initiatives and automation optimization projects. What You Need To Have
Associate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering required; Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology Management, or Industrial Automation preferred. 5+ years of hands-on industrial automation experience in multi-plant automotive manufacturing required; 10+ years strongly preferred for senior-level candidates. Deep technical expertise with Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and industrial robotics platforms such as Fanuc, ABB, and Kawasaki. Proven ability to standardize automation and controls practices across multiple sites. Experience integrating automation systems with MES, SCADA, IIoT, and data analytics platforms. Demonstrated success in leading or supporting multi-plant automation projects, including new vehicle program launches and plant expansions. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with a track record of resolving complex, multi-site technical issues. Experience with collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and AI/ML applications is highly desirable. Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies including digital twins, predictive maintenance, and advanced process analytics. Robotics vendor certifications (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki) a plus. Automotive launch/change management experience in high-volume production environments. Leadership or mentoring experience within cross-functional OT, automation, or controls engineering teams preferred. Understanding of OT cybersecurity best practices and secure network architectures for automation systems. What We Offer
We’re excited to offer a range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off. Details may evolve, and accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Engineering and Information Technology Industries
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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Join to apply for the
OT Automation Engineer
role at
Challenge Manufacturing . Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. Our core values are safety, ownership, and teamwork. Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America with an ESOP program that grants shares to all employee-owners annually. Who We Want
We are seeking an OT Automation Engineer to lead automation initiatives across multiple automotive plants. This role ensures high-performance, secure, and reliable OT/automation systems, including Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics systems are deployed and optimized to support high-volume production, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and new vehicle program launches. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise in automation and robotics with multi-plant operational experience, driving efficiency, uptime, quality, and cross-functional collaboration. What You'll Do
Lead design, deployment, and optimization of multi-plant automation systems, including Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and robotics. Develop and standardize automation and controls practices across all plants to ensure consistency, reliability, and compliance with automotive standards (IATF 16949, ISO 10218). Oversee integration of automation systems with MES, SCADA, IIoT, and analytics platforms for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Implement Industry 4.0 initiatives, including AI/ML for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and quality monitoring. Collaborate with Production, Engineering, OT, and IT teams to optimize throughput, line efficiency, uptime, and quality KPIs. Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation and robotics issues across multiple sites, ensuring rapid recovery and minimal production impact. Support new vehicle program launches and plant expansions with robust automation integration, testing, and commissioning. Evaluate, recommend, and deploy emerging automation technologies, including collaborative robots (cobots), AMRs, AGVs, and digital twin solutions. Establish automation KPIs, monitor performance across plants, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. Mentor and develop Controls & Robotics Engineers and technicians across sites. Ensure OT cybersecurity and secure connectivity for automation and robotics systems, in collaboration with IT/OT teams. Maintain detailed SOPs, technical documentation, system manuals, and disaster recovery plans for multi-plant operations. Participate in lean manufacturing initiatives and automation optimization projects. What You Need To Have
Associate degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics, or Robotics Engineering required; Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Technology Management, or Industrial Automation preferred. 5+ years of hands-on industrial automation experience in multi-plant automotive manufacturing required; 10+ years strongly preferred for senior-level candidates. Deep technical expertise with Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, and industrial robotics platforms such as Fanuc, ABB, and Kawasaki. Proven ability to standardize automation and controls practices across multiple sites. Experience integrating automation systems with MES, SCADA, IIoT, and data analytics platforms. Demonstrated success in leading or supporting multi-plant automation projects, including new vehicle program launches and plant expansions. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills, with a track record of resolving complex, multi-site technical issues. Experience with collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and AI/ML applications is highly desirable. Familiarity with Industry 4.0 technologies including digital twins, predictive maintenance, and advanced process analytics. Robotics vendor certifications (e.g., Fanuc, ABB, Kawasaki) a plus. Automotive launch/change management experience in high-volume production environments. Leadership or mentoring experience within cross-functional OT, automation, or controls engineering teams preferred. Understanding of OT cybersecurity best practices and secure network architectures for automation systems. What We Offer
We’re excited to offer a range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off. Details may evolve, and accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities. Seniority level
Mid-Senior level Employment type
Full-time Job function
Engineering and Information Technology Industries
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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