Automation Engineer

About the role

In this vital engineering role, you will be part of a team of controls and maintenance professionals who proactively support operations and provide customers with expert-level support based on the customer's technical problems related to their automated material handling equipment (MHE).

Responsibilities

• Promote a safe working environment by complying with all applicable codes, regulations, governmental agencies, and company directives related to system operations and work safety.
• Troubleshoot and modify software programs for material handling control systems, including PLC/PC controllers, Allen Bradley Controllogix/Compactlogix PLC platform and RSLogix 5000 software package.
• Act as first level escalation in troubleshooting support, both on-site and remotely, as well as during and after business hours, to repair all MHE controls software systems.
• Respond quickly to emergency situations, summoning assistance as needed.
• Inspect systems to ensure the operation of equipment is within design capabilities and achieves operational conditions prescribed by the client.
• Oversee scope of development, work request initiation, scheduling, and inspection of work performed by outside contractors, which includes proprietary work, licensed installations, upgrades, and maintenance and inspection of specialized systems.
• Engineer process solutions and reliability improvement from concept to network implementation.
• Monitor Industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, AS-I, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Monitor material handling equipment metrics and partner with site team to resolve equipment electrical problems that create performance deficiencies.
• Proactively and effectively communicate with multiple stakeholders including, but not limited to, leadership, operations and the maintenance team on technical issues and project timelines and production impacts.
• Facilitate analysis and reviews of failures and processes to provide recommendations to implement improvements or retraining to avoid future incidents.
• Perform controls of systems assessments to maintain and improve equipment reliability.
• Clearly communicate technical issues, project timelines, and product impacts with site leadership, operations and the maintenance teams.
• Cultivate positive working relationships with our Client and the Operations Maintenance team members.
• Perform other job-related duties as needed or assigned.

Requirements

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred with 2-5 years of relevant experience. In lieu of a degree, a combination of experience and education may be considered.
• Experience in at least two engineering design cycles including specification, component selection and programming.
• 2+ years of experience with Programmable Logic Controls (PLC) programs.
• 2+ years of experience with robotics system components and controls.
• 2+ years of experience with SCADA systems.
• Ability to be available and work a flexible schedule/shift/work area, including weekends, nights, and/or holidays.
• Ability to independently solve problems and carry out general instructions in standard situations with limited to no oversight.
• Meet the physical requirements of this role including stooping, standing, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, and the ability to lift/carry heavy loads of 50 lbs. or more.
• Ability to guide the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations, and handle problems.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years apprenticeship or equivalent experience in Control Systems troubleshooting/programming.
• Experience supporting a range of different conveyors and sortation systems.
• Experience with robotic maintenance.
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Extensive organizational skills with a strong inquisitive mindset.
• Advanced math skills. Ability to calculate difficult figures such as percentages, fractions, and other financial-related calculations.