Junior Controls Engineer

Gotion Inc. is based in Silicon Valley, CA, currently building a Manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL and has R&D centers in Ohio, China, Japan and Europe. Gotion is seeking a motivated Junior Controls Engineer to join our team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manteno, IL. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early-career engineer to gain hands-on experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment and production processes in a fast-paced battery manufacturing environment. The Junior Controls Engineer will work closely with experienced engineers, maintenance technicians, and production teams to support equipment performance, troubleshoot control systems, improve manufacturing processes, and contribute to automation projects. This role offers significant opportunities for learning and professional development in controls engineering, PLC programming, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Responsibilities

Assist in supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production processes; Help monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE); Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment and process issues; Support the development and maintenance of control systems, including PLC programs, HMIs, and industrial automation equipment; Assist with equipment startups, commissioning activities, and production line qualifications; Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action efforts to resolve manufacturing and equipment issues; Help create and maintain technical documentation, including work instructions, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides; Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, quality enhancement, and waste reduction; Work with maintenance personnel to diagnose and resolve electrical and control system issues; Assist with data collection, analysis, and reporting to support manufacturing performance improvements; Participate in automation, robotics, and Industry 4.0 projects as assigned; Provide training support to production personnel on equipment operation and process changes

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; Internship, co-op, academic project, or up to 2 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, controls, or a related engineering field; Basic understanding of PLC programming and industrial control systems; Understanding of electrical schematics, sensors, motors, and industrial equipment; Interest in robotics, machine vision, and automated manufacturing technologies; Basic knowledge of troubleshooting methodologies and problem-solving techniques

Nice to have

Exposure to industrial automation, manufacturing equipment, or process improvement projects is preferred; Familiarity with Siemens PLCs, Allen-Bradley PLCs, or similar automation platforms is a plus; Exposure to HMI systems and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, or Profinet is preferred; Internship or project experience in a manufacturing environment; Experience with robotics, automation, or controls-related coursework; Familiarity with data analysis and continuous improvement concepts; Strong desire to learn and grow within a manufacturing engineering organization

Benefits

Eligibility for bonus and benefits