Automation Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Job Summary

AG Solutions is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer with a strong background in industrial automation, PLC programming, electrical controls, instrumentation, communications, and control system design.

This position requires someone who can handle both the engineering/design side and hands-on programming and troubleshooting side of industrial automation systems. The Automation Engineer will be responsible for designing, programming, configuring, commissioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex PLC, HMI, instrumentation, communications, and control systems.

The successful candidate must be technically proficient with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation and Schneider Electric automation platforms and be capable of independently troubleshooting PLC and automation problems in both engineering and field environments.

This position will also participate in an on-call rotation for after-hours, off-shift, and emergency PLC/automation support and requires up to 40% travel depending on project and customer needs.

Mandatory Technical Requirements

Candidates must have demonstrated proficiency in the following areas:

·       Allen-Bradley PLC systems and hardware
·       Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 / Logix Designer
·       RSLogix 5000, RSLogix 500
·       FactoryTalk View Studio and Allen-Bradley HMI systems
·       Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley product suite
·       PLC logic design, programming, modification, and troubleshooting
·       Programming and troubleshooting complex industrial control systems
·       PLC control panel design, layout, components, wiring, I/O, power distribution, and communications
·       Electrical, instrumentation, and controls (I&C) engineering
·       Reading and developing electrical schematics, control drawings, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, loop drawings, and PLC I/O documentation
·       Industrial Ethernet and network communications
·       Wireless communications, industrial radios, telemetry, and remote control systems
·       Field instrumentation, signals, transmitters, sensors, and control devices
·       System startup, commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting

Candidates must also have strong technical proficiency with Schneider Electric automation systems, including:

·       EcoStruxure Control Expert
·       Schneider Electric PLC hardware and architecture
·       PLC programming within Control Expert
·       Ladder Logic programming
·       Function Block Diagram (FBD) programming
·       Schneider Electric HMI development software/platforms
·       HMI screen design, development, modification, and troubleshooting
·       PLC/HMI communications and integration
·       Control system architecture and engineering
·       Designing Schneider Electric PLC applications from an engineering and controls perspective
·       Troubleshooting existing Schneider Electric PLC and HMI systems

The successful candidate must be more than an end user of these platforms. They must understand the design and engineering behind the automation system and be capable of developing, modifying, commissioning, and troubleshooting systems independently.

Duties and Responsibilities

·       Design and implement automation solutions utilizing PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, communications, telemetry, and distributed control systems.
·       Design and program complex PLC control systems from project requirements, drawings, specifications, and sequences of operation.
·       Develop new PLC programs and modify existing PLC applications.
·       Develop, modify, and troubleshoot HMI applications.
·       Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, instrumentation, electrical, network, and communications problems.
·       Perform root-cause analysis on automation and process control failures and develop appropriate corrective actions.
·       Troubleshoot systems both remotely and in the field.
·       Provide after-hours and off-shift technical support for PLC and automation system callouts as part of an on-call rotation.
·       Develop and review PLC control panel designs, layouts, wiring, I/O requirements, communications hardware, and associated electrical components.
·       Understand PLC panel power supplies, breakers, relays, terminal blocks, Ethernet switches, communications equipment, I/O modules, and other control components.
·       Develop and interpret electrical schematics, PLC drawings, control diagrams, P&IDs, loop diagrams, network drawings, and construction documents.
·       Select and integrate instrumentation including flow, level, pressure, temperature, analytical, and other process measurement devices.
·       Configure and troubleshoot analog and digital I/O, including 4–20 mA and discrete signals.
·       Design and troubleshoot industrial Ethernet networks, wireless communications, radios, telemetry systems, and remote PLC/RTU communications.
·       Integrate PLC systems with HMIs, field instrumentation, VFDs, motor controls, remote I/O, radios, and other automation equipment.
·       Perform PLC/HMI startup, checkout, testing, commissioning, and field modifications.
·       Coordinate automation engineering with electrical engineers, electricians, instrumentation technicians, project managers, customers, vendors, and other project team members.
·       Support field installation and provide technical direction to electricians and field personnel when required.
·       Utilize AutoCAD or similar software to develop and modify electrical and controls drawings.
·       Maintain accurate documentation of programming changes, system configurations, drawings, and field modifications.
·       Report and accurately record hours worked.
·       Travel to customer facilities and project sites as required, up to 40% .
·       Maintain availability for scheduled on-call, after-hours, weekend, and emergency automation support.

Troubleshooting & Field Support

The Automation Engineer must be capable of independently troubleshooting complex automation systems. This includes determining whether a failure is associated with:

·       PLC hardware or programming
·       HMI hardware or programming
·       PLC/HMI communications
·       Industrial Ethernet networks
·       Wireless radios and telemetry
·       Remote I/O
·       Instrumentation and field devices
·       Analog or discrete signals
·       Electrical control circuits
·       PLC control panels
·       VFDs and motor controls
·       Network switches and communications equipment
·       Control system configuration
·       Process logic and sequencing

The position requires the ability to diagnose problems efficiently and safely and develop practical solutions to restore system operation.

Experience

Required:

·       Demonstrated professional experience designing, programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting industrial automation systems.
·       Strong experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation PLC and HMI systems.
·       Proficiency with Studio 5000, RSLogix 5000, RSLogix 500, and FactoryTalk View Studio.
·       Strong experience with Schneider Electric Control Expert and associated Schneider Electric PLC/HMI platforms.
·       Ability to develop and troubleshoot Ladder Logic and Function Block programming.
·       Experience programming complex PLC-controlled systems.
·       Experience designing and troubleshooting PLC control panels.
·       Strong electrical, instrumentation, and controls knowledge.
·       Experience with industrial Ethernet, wireless communications, radios, and telemetry.
·       Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, control drawings, and PLC panel drawings.
·       Experience troubleshooting automation systems in operating industrial environments.
·       Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions in the field.

Education & Qualifications

·        Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
·       Relevant industry experience may be considered depending on the candidate's level of automation and controls expertise.
·       Must be able to work in the United States without sponsorship.
·       Must meet company drug and alcohol testing requirements.
·       Must be willing and able to travel up to 40%.
·       Must be willing to participate in an on-call rotation, including nights, weekends, and off-shift PLC/automation callouts.
·       Must be capable of working safely in industrial and field environments.
·       Must complete a 90-day probationary period with a review every 30 days during this 90-day evaluation period.

Preferred:

·        Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.
·       Experience with AutoCAD or similar electrical/control system design software.
·       Experience with water/wastewater, utilities, mining, oil and gas, manufacturing, or other industrial control environments.
·       Experience with motor controls and industrial networking.
·       Valid Surface MSHA Electrical Card.

Safety & General Responsibilities

·       Ensure safety remains a constant priority.
·       Perform Job Safety Analysis (JSA) prior to beginning applicable work.
·       Follow all AG Solutions and customer safety policies and procedures.
·       Comply with applicable local, state, tribal, and federal requirements.
·       Perform required vehicle and work-area safety inspections.
·       Continuously evaluate work areas for hazards and changing conditions.
·       Maintain clean and organized work areas and company vehicles.
·       Communicate effectively with electricians, helpers, engineers, project managers, customers, vendors, and other team members.

About the Position

This position is intended for an Automation Engineer who is comfortable taking ownership of a controls system from engineering and design through programming, field installation support, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

AG Solutions is looking for someone who can understand the complete system—not simply PLC programming—including the electrical, instrumentation, controls, networking, communications, PLC panel, HMI, and field-device components that make an industrial automation system operate.

Join the AG Solutions team and contribute your automation and controls expertise while working in a collaborative environment focused on technical excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction.