Manager - Automation

About the role

The Automation Manager oversees the specification, selection, configuration, planning, procurement, programming, troubleshooting, installation, and commissioning of process, materials handling, and utilities software and electrical controls for PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems. This role also manages site calibration programs and QMS related to automation events.

Responsibilities

• Integrate new automation platforms with existing systems.
• Develop automation and control user requirement specifications, functional requirement specifications, and design qualification documents for new equipment and/or projects.
• Ensure proper design reviews for all logic control sequences and automation design projects.
• Write automation programs, source automation and control components/software/applications, and troubleshoot control and automation problems.
• Manage drawing records, including revision controls and updates (As-Builts and record drawings) per current SOP.
• Develop and manage software programming, platforms, and standards to integrate site process systems for specific applications.
• Participate in factory acceptance testing for automation and controls.
• Develop and execute plans for correcting automation and control problems on existing systems.
• Assist Maintenance staff in troubleshooting automation and controls issues to minimize downtime.
• Provide training for Maintenance staff on troubleshooting automation and controls issues.
• Coordinate execution of automation validation, commissioning, and turnover of automation projects with various site disciplines.
• Ensure proper change control processes are followed for automation and controls changes or enhancements.
• Conduct root cause analysis for automation and controls-related incidents.
• Create general arrangement plan view mechanical drawings for integrating new equipment into existing production lines.
• Maintain password control for all manufacturing equipment equipped with HMI or SCADA per current SOP.
• Understand and apply 21 CFR Part 11 specifications.
• Complete all required training within due dates.
• Adapt to rapidly changing priorities based on business needs.
• Track and update QMS as required.
• Oversee site computer system validation.

Requirements

• BS or BT in Electrical Engineering.
• 7-10 years in a similar technical role.

Skills

• Electrical design and programming.
• Automation and controls PLC platforms (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Opto22, B&R, Fatek).
• Networks and serial communications (VLANs and subnet isolation, Ethernet, Modbus, DeviceNet, RS-422, RS-232).
• Vision Systems (Cognex, AutoVision, Keyence).
• HMI/SCADA/Building Management systems (Wonderware, iFix, RSView ME & SE, Tracer, Kinco, Elipse).
• Servo drives and VFDs (Festo, Powerflex, Kinetix, Invertek).
• Safety PLCs and Safety Relays.
• License activation servers installation and configuration.
• Kepserver data connection application installation and configuration.
• Robotics programming & debug (Fanuc, Motoman, IAI) – future need.
• Real-time data collection and storage (FactoryTalk Transaction Manager, FactoryTalk Historian, FactoryTalk AssetCentre, FactoryTalk Batch, SQL server databases, stored procedures, and SQL coding) – future need.
• AutoCAD 2D electrical and mechanical general arrangement drawings.
• Managing automation projects and commissioning activities with production.
• Managing vendors for automation project installation and commissioning.
• Reverse engineering and debugging of automation systems with limited documentation.
• MS Project and MS Office applications.
• Computer System Validation.

Leadership / Managerial Attributes

• Lead cross-functional teams.
• Manage outside contractors and vendors.