Ignition Developer

Location: Warren, Michigan
Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
Role Type: Controls / Automation / MES Engineering

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Ignition Developer to support a ground-up manufacturing automation implementation for a major automotive manufacturer in Warren, Michigan.

This is primarily a new-build development and implementation role, not a sustaining or maintenance position. The engineer will be responsible for designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning controls and manufacturing systems, with a strong focus on Rockwell Studio 5000, Ignition, and PLC-to-MES integration.

The ideal candidate has personally taken automation systems from initial design through commissioning and production launch and can demonstrate hands-on experience developing PLC, HMI/SCADA, and MES functionality rather than only modifying or troubleshooting existing systems.

Key Responsibilities

Design and develop Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix PLC programs from the ground up using RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000.
Develop PLC architecture including ladder logic, tag structures, UDTs, AOIs, sequencing, diagnostics, alarms, and equipment interfaces.
Design and build Ignition HMI/SCADA applications, including screens, tags, scripting, alarms, communications, and system configuration.
Develop and implement communication between PLCs and MES systems.
Create PLC/MES transaction and handshake logic for manufacturing operations.
Support work-order verification, part and serial-number traceability, recipe/model management, production reporting, and pass/fail transactions.
Integrate barcode scanners, RFID systems, and other production tracking equipment.
Configure and integrate Zebra industrial label printers, including generation and implementation of ZPL code.
Develop automated label-printing processes tied to production events, work orders, and cycle completion.
Perform controls system startup, debugging, commissioning, FAT/SAT, and production launch activities.
Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, MES, networking, and equipment communication issues as needed.
Collaborate with manufacturing engineering, IT/MES teams, equipment integrators, and plant personnel throughout implementation.
Develop and maintain controls documentation, system architecture, backups, and commissioning records.

Required Qualifications

Strong hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/GuardLogix and Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000.
Demonstrated experience writing new PLC programs for equipment, stations, or production lines from scratch.
Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition.
Experience developing Ignition screens, tags, scripting, and/or application architecture.
Experience integrating PLCs with MES or manufacturing information systems.
Understanding of manufacturing transactions such as work-order validation, traceability, recipes, production reporting, and serial-number tracking.
Experience commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
Strong troubleshooting skills across controls hardware, PLC software, industrial networks, and production systems.
Experience in automotive or other high-volume discrete manufacturing environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience generating ZPL code and integrating Zebra industrial printers.
Experience with barcode and RFID-based production traceability.
Ignition Vision and/or Perspective development experience.
Industrial networking experience including Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, SQL, or related communication technologies.
Experience taking a controls project through the complete lifecycle: design → development → integration → startup → commissioning → production launch.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will have experience building controls systems from the ground up, including PLC programming, Ignition development, and PLC-to-MES integration.

This position is best suited for an engineer who has built and commissioned new manufacturing systems rather than someone whose background is primarily production support or maintenance.

North Point Technology is THE BEST place to work for curious-minded engineers motivated to support our country’s most crucial missions! We focus on long term projects, leveraging the latest technology in support of innovative solutions to solve our customer’s most difficult problems.

At North Point Technology, EMPLOYEES come first! We value our employees by providing excellent compensation, benefits, and a flexible work-life balance. We strive for a close-knit and open atmosphere where the owners are always directly available to our team members.

Come join us! Apply with North Point Technology today!

For positions requiring a federal security clearance, your clearance level must be clearly identified on your resume.

About the company

North Point Technology is a woman-owned small business based in Reston, Virginia, that supports the U.S. government’s defense missions by recruiting and retaining highly skilled technologists. It addresses the challenge of assembling and keeping top engineers for critical mission programs by offering competitive compensation and benefits, which helps attract and keep the best people. The company’s approach combines a lean, efficient business model with a culture of focused, mission-driven work to supply capable teams to federal programs. Unlike larger firms with high overhead, North Point Technology concentrates on attracting and retaining talent to meet government needs. The company’s goal is to provide a steady supply of skilled engineers who can work on essential defense systems, ensuring mission success for federal clients.

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Reston, Virginia

Founded

2005

Get referred to North Point Technology

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

In 2026, North Point Technology posted 58 open roles, signaling active contract demand.
Openings span data engineering, DevOps, systems, and software work across mission programs.
ClearanceJobs and Haystack list INSCOM and NGA support roles, broadening federal exposure.

What critics are saying

Revenue depends on a narrow cleared-government market with single-contract concentration risk.
Public information shows no new customer wins, leaving growth tied to recompete cycles.
A lost security clearance or prime contract would rapidly collapse staffing and utilization.

What makes North Point Technology unique

North Point Technology focuses on TS/SCI-cleared engineering for IC and DoD missions.
Its jobs board lists Fort Belvoir, Herndon, Chantilly, and Springfield cleared roles.
The company advertises security solutions and mission contracts across multiple intelligence agencies.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Flexible Work Hours
Hybrid Work Options
Remote Work Options
Sabbatical Leave
Wellness Program
Mental Health Support

North Point Technology

Ignition Developer

About the job