Full-Time
Controls Engineer
Piston Automotive
201-500 employees
Automotive manufacturing and engineering solutions
No salary listed
Redford Township, MI, USA
In Person
Bachelor's, Associate's
 Electrical Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- An Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Programming, or a related field is required, although relevant experience may substitute for the degree.
- A minimum of 2 years of experience as a Controls Engineer or Maintenance Technician is required.
- Experience maintaining robots in production processes is required.
- Experience with just-in-time, synchronous production delivery, in-line vehicle sequencing, and batch manufacturing systems is required.
- Strong knowledge of manual and automated assembly systems and technologies, including mechanical and control systems, is required.
- Technical experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, AutoCAD, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, and FactoryTalk View Studio is required.
- Two to four years of programmable logic controller programming experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix 5000 processors is required.
- Two to four years of vision systems programming experience with Cognex and Keyence is required.
- Two to four years of human-machine interface programming experience with FactoryTalk View Studio and PanelView Plus is required.
- Robot programming experience, including touch-up paths and troubleshooting stoppages, is required.
- Analyze and optimize machine performance using programmable logic controller data.
- Lead root cause analysis for systemic and intermittent issues.
- Select and integrate error-proofing and mistake-proofing devices to address quality concerns.
- Understand and maintain machine Ethernet networks.
- Conduct regular audits on safety control programs and devices.
- Plan, coordinate, and implement assigned projects.
- Interface with automation and capital equipment vendors.
- During new equipment launches, transfer all equipment and process documentation to the production plant before standard operating procedure, including original equipment manufacturer manuals, bills of materials, drawings, recommended spare parts, and recommended preventive maintenance activities.
- Lead activities in new product and process manufacturing and recommend improvements.
- Develop preventive maintenance programs in collaboration with plant management.
- Support controls-related issues to minimize production downtime.
- Guide maintenance technicians to develop skill sets and strengthen the team.
- Ensure peak efficiency and safety of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
- Assist with installation and maintenance of machines and tools.
- Analyze equipment requirements and assist with requisitioning tools and spare parts.
- Identify and recommend efficiency improvements to reduce costs.
Piston Group operates as a private investment platform that builds, owns, and grows world-class manufacturing and design companies. Its automotive arm, Piston Automotive, designs and fabricates automotive components at its manufacturing facilities, using engineering and lean, highly skilled production processes to deliver engineered parts and systems. Products move from design and tooling through precision manufacturing and assembly to meet customer specs, with a focus on reliability, quality, and value creation. What sets Piston Group apart is its model: it combines long-term investor backing (since 1996) with hands-on management of multiple manufacturing brands (including Irvin Products and Detroit Thermal Systems) and a culture of employee empowerment to improve operations and drive customer value. The company’s goal is to create lasting value by building and scaling manufacturing and design businesses that solve real customer needs and improve performance for its partners.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Redford Charter Township, Michigan
Founded
1995
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Southfield approved Piston Automotive's 2026 headquarters expansion, adding 170 jobs and $1 million upgrades.
- Auburn Hills facility opened in 2026, targeting GM Orion Assembly and 400 jobs.
- Detroit's 2025 hydrogen-fuel-cell project promised 144 jobs and $55 million investment.
What critics are saying
- GM paused the $55 million hydrogen plant in May 2025, delaying revenue realization.
- The 2021 minority-certification lawsuit exposed dependence on supplier diversity status for contracts.
- If GM cancels Orion fuel-cell work, Piston's 2027 Auburn Hills launch loses a cornerstone.
What makes Piston Automotive unique
- Vinnie Johnson still owns Piston Group, preserving a Black-owned supplier brand since 1985.
- Piston Automotive spans Southfield, Auburn Hills, Louisville, and Mississauga, giving OEM proximity.
- Jana Rosenmann and Mamadou Diallo give factory operators and OEM sales discipline.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Tuition Reimbursement
Employee Discounts
Paid Holidays
Paid Vacation
Company News
Southfield businesses invest nearly $52M in corporate and residential redevelopment. The city of Southfield is the beneficiary of nearly $52 million in recent investments in facility improvements, relocations, and adaptive reuse projects. Among the organizations leading the way are Piston Group and Piston Automotive, Angstrom NA, and West 11 Management. Piston Group invested $800,000 in its corporate headquarters to enhance technology infrastructure, expand office capacity, and modernize the workspace for greater efficiency and collaboration. In addition, Piston Automotive is consolidating and expanding its headquarters at 2000 Town Center, bringing 170 jobs to Southfield and investing $1 million in upgrades intended to further strengthen its role as a global leader in automotive systems manufacturing. Both projects are located in the Southfield City Centre. Global automotive and industrial supplier Angstrom NA is expanding its worldwide headquarters in Southfield with the purchase and redevelopment of 25300 - 25330 Telegraph Road, within the Southfield Technology Corridor Subarea. The company will invest $4.15 million to consolidate operations into the facility, relocating 55 employees from outside the city and 20 within. Angstrom also plans to lease additional space and explore outlot development, further activating the site and contributing to the city's commercial landscape, according to officials. West 11 Management is undertaking a $46 million residential conversion project that will transform two of the former Blue Cross Blue Shield towers into a mixed-use development featuring 305 apartments and amenities including coworking space, fitness facilities, event rooms, and outdoor recreation areas. The redevelopment, located within the Southfield SmartZone Subarea, will transform more than 450,000 square feet of vacant office space into a live/work environment. "These projects are a clear reflection of Southfield's strong partnerships with the business community," says Kenson Siver, mayor of Southfield. "We've worked diligently to create an environment that supports innovation, investment, and redevelopment, and it's rewarding to see those efforts pay off. "Every new project, from corporate expansions to residential reinvestment, adds vitality to our city and benefits residents, businesses, and future generations." According to Silver, the projects reflect Southfield's ongoing evolution as a "premier destination" for business and investment in metro Detroit. For more information on business development in Southfield, visit here.
DETROIT - Dan Lee has been appointed chief financial officer of Piston Group, effective immediately.
DETROIT, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mamadou Diallo, formerly the senior vice president of Auto Sales of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has been named chief executive officer for the Piston Group. He will report to Founder and Chairman Vinnie Johnson. Diallo's role is effective June 10, 2024.Diallo will be involved in management of issues including the group's overall operational performance, financial management, planning and reporting, as well as financial controls and performance for the Piston Group companies: Piston Automotive, Piston Interiors, A Lava and Detroit Thermal Systems."Mamadou is a proven market leader with deep knowledge of the automotive industry and OEM internal processes and procedures," said Johnson. "His 23 years of experience at American Honda Motor Co., where he held the top commercial role for the company within the United States, and oversaw sales, logistics, strategy and product communications will prove to be a significant addition as I continue to grow my team and our overall approach to strategy and customer satisfaction."Diallo joined Honda in 2001 through the company's National Trainee program. During his 23-year tenure at the OEM, Diallo held numerous leadership roles including vice president of Auto Sales, responsible for Honda and Acura sales in the U.S., Caribbean, and Central America, including Market Representation, Vehicle Distribution and Logistics, public relations, dealer communications, and sales training; vice president, Auto Operations, overseeing Product Planning, Sales & Production Planning and Logistics; and assistant vice president of Acura National Sales, Incentive and Strategy among other positions.At Honda, Mamadou served on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, an industry trade association based in Washington DC, along with most major OEMs, Teir 1, battery, semiconductor, and technology leaders around the globe
Piston Group Selects Former Honda Executive Mamadou Diallo as Chief Executive Officer
Piston Automotive, a subsidiary of the Piston Group family of companies, announced Jana Rosenmann as its new president.