•Senior Controls and Automation Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical resource for plant-wide automation and process control infrastructure including PLC, DCS, HMI, and drive systems.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize automation platforms to support continuous process manufacturing and maximize equipment uptime and operational efficiency.
• Provide technical leadership in diagnosing complex control system failures, network communication issues, and drive system faults.
• Develop, modify, and maintain control strategies and automation code within: Siemens PCS 7 Distributed Control System (DCS), Siemens S7 PLC platforms (S7-1200 / S7-1500) using TIA Portal.
• Implement control logic enhancements and process improvements to improve system stability, throughput, and product quality.
• Maintain program version control, backups, and structured documentation of automation systems.
• Configure, commission, and troubleshoot Siemens G120 and S120 variable frequency drives (VFDs) and associated motor control systems.
• Optimize drive parameters and control schemes to improve energy efficiency, system responsiveness, and equipment reliability.
• Support and maintain industrial communication infrastructure including: PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Ethernet/IP.
• Develop and maintain HMI visualization interfaces and operator diagnostic tools.
• Create and optimize HMI screens to enhance process visibility, troubleshooting capability, and operator efficiency.
• Support integration of data visualization and process monitoring tools for improved system performance analysis.
• Lead automation-related activities for new equipment installations, capital improvement projects, and system upgrades.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, contractors, and OEM vendors during design, installation, commissioning, and startup phases.
• Implement automation software updates required for new motors, instrumentation, sensors, and process equipment.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and commissioning procedures.
• Support plant initiatives focused on automation reliability, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.
• Drive improvements that increase equipment availability, process stability, and production throughput.
• Identify opportunities to modernize legacy automation systems and implement best practices in industrial control architecture.
• Ensure all automation systems comply with plant safety standards, electrical codes, and corporate operational procedures.
• Support adherence to lockout/tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, and process safety requirements.
• Maintain documentation and configuration records for critical automation systems.

Requirements

• Associate's degree or Technical Diploma in Automation, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, or related field, required and 5+ years of experience in industrial automation or control's role.
• Or (BS in Electrical Engineering recent graduate with internship experience).

Qualifications

• Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, and wear required PPE.
• On-call availability as required.

Skills

• Proficiency in Siemens PCS 7 Distributed Control System (DCS), Siemens S7 PLC platforms (S7-1200 / S7-1500) using TIA Portal.
• Advanced diagnostics, root cause analysis, and corrective actions within PLC/DCS environments.
• Optimization of drive parameters and control schemes to improve energy efficiency, system responsiveness, and equipment reliability.
• Development and maintenance of HMI visualization interfaces and operator diagnostic tools.
• Integration of data visualization and process monitoring tools for improved system performance analysis.
• Leadership in automation-related activities for new equipment installations, capital improvement projects, and system upgrades.
• Collaboration with engineering teams, contractors, and OEM vendors during design, installation, commissioning, and startup phases.
• Implementation of automation software updates required for new motors, instrumentation, sensors, and process equipment.
• Participation in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and commissioning procedures.
• Identification of opportunities to modernize legacy automation systems and implementation of best practices in industrial control architecture.
• Compliance with plant safety standards, electrical codes, and corporate operational procedures.
• Support for lockout/tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, and process safety requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive hourly wage: $__/hour (based on experience and technical skill level).
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid vacation and holidays.
• Ongoing technical training and advancement opportunities.