Controls Engineer Intern
Who We Are:
Challenge’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. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Together we own Safety! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
Challenge Mfg. Company’s Internship Program allows students to obtain real world work experience through technical and software exposure. This exposure is granted through individual projects, hands-on tasks on the plant floor, and much more. Challenge Mfg. Company prides itself on giving students a head start on experience in the Automotive Industry to enhance their future. We are looking for motivated junior and senior level college students majoring in electrical/controls engineering
We are currently looking for a Controls Engineering Intern to join our team!
What You'll Do:
This internship will be project based. Below is a real project example of what you would be working on.
1. Develop and Implement an Ignition HMI Screen for Conveyor Systems
• Learn and gain hands-on experience with Ignition software.
• Connect to PLCs and observe real-time interaction between Ignition and the PLCs.
• Design and develop a conveyor system HMI screen to enhance system monitoring.
2. Improve Kawasaki Robot HMI Interface
• Review the current Kawasaki robot HMI screen.
• Analyze the robot bit map and extract useful data for a better user experience.
• Develop and implement an improved screen layout that enhances usability and efficiency.
3. Optimize HMI Template for Efficiency
• Review the existing HMI template and identify inefficiencies.
• Reduce tag count while maintaining functionality and performance.
• Utilize Ignition software tools to improve user-friendliness for operators.
4. Incorporate Stamping Images into the HMI
• Add images of stamped parts to the HMI.
• Display part presence locations on consumed parts for better operator visibility.
• Ensure images improve clarity and usability without compromising system performance.
When and Where:
May 19th – August 2025 (Exact end date TBD)
This will be a 1st Shift / 8am – 5pm M-F position located at our Pontiac, Michigan plant located at 2501 Centerpoint Parkway, Pontiac, MI, 48341
What You Need to Have:
- Must be a current college student in Junior or Senior year with a major in electrical or mechanical engineering.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to be considered for the Internship program
- Must have superior verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to multi-task in global manufacturing environment
- Authorized to work in the U.S.
- Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
What We Offer:
We’re excited to offer a range of awesome 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.
Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.
