Okay, I've searched for Automation Engineer roles in Detroit Metropolitan Area requiring PLC programming and industrial controls expertise, full-time positions, and at least 3 years of experience in manufacturing or logistics automation. I have found 27 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

This Automation Engineer role at FleetGlue is designed for a technically skilled professional who can bridge the software-driven world of robotics integration with the realities of physical factory automation. The core purpose is to lead the seamless integration and ongoing support of automated systems in demanding manufacturing and logistics environments. This requires a deep understanding of PLC programming languages like ladder logic and structured text, as well as fluency with industrial communication protocols such as Profibus, Profinet, and Modbus—technologies central to ensuring reliable machine-to-machine communication. The candidate will be hands-on with configuring, troubleshooting, and optimizing real-time industrial control systems, often under pressure in live production settings where downtime is costly. Success means not only technical fluency but also the ability to interface effectively between software platforms and diverse hardware, managing the complexity of robotics and computer vision systems deployed on a factory floor. Given the cutting-edge nature of FleetGlue's products and clients including Fortune 500 manufacturers, familiarity with advanced fields like ROS middleware, machine learning applications, and interdisciplinary collaboration is key. The role will likely face challenges around rapidly diagnosing hardware-software integration issues, adapting to heterogeneous environments, and orchestrating smooth deployment under tight schedules and high reliability demands. A successful engineer here is autonomous yet collaborative, highly technically competent, and comfortable working in a fast-evolving startup setting focused on revolutionizing automation deployment.

Company Analysis:

FleetGlue operates at the intersection of robotics, software, and industrial automation, positioning itself as a transformative force in U.S. manufacturing and logistics. As a startup backed by prestigious investors including Toyota AI Ventures and Initialized Capital, it is a high-growth, innovation-driven company seeking to revolutionize how mobile robots are integrated on factory floors. This niche places FleetGlue as a disruptor in an industry traditionally slow to adopt new technology, offering an exciting environment for engineers who seek impact at the forefront of hardware-software convergence. The company's culture is likely dynamic, mission-oriented, and fast-paced, rewarding adaptable team players who thrive on building novel solutions rather than maintaining legacy systems. As a ground-floor hire in a pre-seed environment, the Automation Engineer role carries significant influence—both technical and strategic—with direct visibility into product development and deployment successes. Collaboration across engineering, operations, and client teams will be essential, reflecting FleetGlue's interdisciplinary approach. The company’s ambitious mission to cut deployment costs and minimize downtime means this role is fundamentally strategic, aligned with scaling operations and commercializing breakthrough automation technology in a competitive market. For a candidate, this means embracing a startup mindset of ownership, continuous learning, and impact orientation within a company charting new territory in manufacturing automation.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex automation system under tight time constraints. How did you approach the problem and what was the outcome?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you collaborated with both software developers and hardware engineers to deliver an integrated automation solution. What challenges did you face and how did you resolve them?
• Behavioral: Give an example of when you identified a process inefficiency within an industrial environment and proposed a technical solution. What was the impact?
• Behavioral: How do you prioritize tasks when supporting multiple automation systems across a busy production floor?
• Technical: Explain your experience programming PLCs using ladder logic or structured text. How do you ensure your code is reliable and maintainable?
• Technical: How do you approach configuring and troubleshooting industrial communication protocols such as Profinet or Modbus in an automation network?
• Technical: What are the key considerations when integrating computer vision systems with robotic automation on a manufacturing line?
• Technical: Describe your familiarity with Robot Operating System (ROS). How have you leveraged ROS or similar middleware in automation projects?
• Situational: Imagine a deployed robotic system starts experiencing intermittent communication failures with PLCs during production. Walk me through your troubleshooting process.
• Situational: You are tasked with integrating a new sensor system that hasn’t been used before on the factory floor. How would you approach the deployment and ensure minimal downtime?
• Situational: If you notice your automation solution is causing unexpected delays on the production line after deployment, how would you handle communication with stakeholders and resolve the issue?
• Company Fit: What excites you most about working at FleetGlue and contributing to the transformation of manufacturing automation?
• Company Fit: How do your personal and professional goals align with FleetGlue’s mission to revolutionize robot integration and deployment costs in manufacturing?
• Company Fit: FleetGlue works at the cutting edge of robotics and industrial automation. How do you stay current with emerging technologies and trends relevant to this role?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe how the automation engineering team collaborates with software development and client operations teams at FleetGlue?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are the top challenges FleetGlue anticipates in scaling automation deployments in the next 12 months?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does FleetGlue support continuous learning and professional growth for technical roles like Automation Engineer in this early-stage environment?