Automation & Controls Engineer

Automation/Controls Engineer

The Automation/Controls Engineer is a key member of the plant leadership team, focusing on electrical systems in the plant as well as control schemes – particularly as they apply to automation projects. This role is one of two Electrical and Controls Engineer II positions in the plant, supporting ongoing plant operations, helping set growth and migration targets for future state and is a critical contributor to any new plant projects. Total Base Pay Range: 96,900.00 - 133,000 + 10% Bonus potential. The Phenix City, AL. facility swings between 24/5 to 24/7 with a variety of occasional alternate schedules to satisfy our customer's needs; we are a manufacturer of a number of mineral wool insulation products including industrial boards of various densities, batts for use in commercial building applications and a wide range of pipe insulation.

Your Day to Day: The following duties and responsibilities are presented as broad expectations for this role; understanding the major focus area within each are the electrical and control aspects:

• Maintain safety, product quality, and manufacturing effectiveness through daily troubleshooting and resolution of process difficulties.
• Drive the continuous improvement of product quality, which will include a firm understanding of customer, manufacturing process capability, and development of semi-finish and finish product specifications.
• Support and promote safe practices and environmental commitments in alignment with company commitments, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Create a compelling manufacturing operations vision that aligns with the plant and goals and core values.
• Foster regular two-way conversations in a flat organizational structure to maximize employee engagement and ensure appropriate focus.
• Help ensure environmental and safety compliance for the facility.
• Diagnose and solve complex problems.
• Participates actively in all daily management standing meetings and other staff level meetings.
• Complete all duties as assigned with a high degree of dedication to safety and environmental stewardship.
• Performs other related duties as assigned; work and partner with Plant Leadership team to achieve business goals.
• This role is primarily traditional workdays (Monday through Friday, less holidays), 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM; however, depending on projects and other situations, employee must be prepared to occasionally work other schedules as necessary to complete their tasks; the maintenance team reporting into this role works a shift rotation that largely covers 24x7 whether the plant is in operation or curtailed

Additional duties that are more exclusive to this role include:

• Be familiar with and stay current on standards
• Proactively propose plans to avoid obsolete or stranded equipment and systems
• Identify opportunities to increase efficiency with automation
• Drive standardization / simplification of common parts and systems in the plant
• Document legacy systems as well as ensure all new or changed systems and processes are thoroughly documented
• Support corporate IT with basic plant infrastructure projects
• Support plant HR/Safety with security access and camera systems

What You Bring to the Team:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology with a minimum of 3 years of experience in control systems engineering in a continuous and/or discrete manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated electrical and control system engineering capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide complex and innovative solutions to project and process engineering problems.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI applications (including programming) along with communications within enterprise and control networked systems.
• Proficiency with VFD and servo applications.
• Experience with robotic platforms (ABB, Fanuc, etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge in the application of the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace - arc flash energy and shock hazards.
• Ability to manage and support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Lead Electrical/Controls Engineer on 1 Major or Complex Project (Responsibility > $1M).
• Must have the ability to work with and influence a multi-discipline team and management with a demonstrated capability to implement plans and follow through with sustained execution, meeting project milestones in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated capabilities in working collaboratively with internal and external engineering resources
• Must possess good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated drive and initiative to complete assigned tasks and investigate and seek out improvement opportunities.
• Thorough knowledge/understanding of Mechanical Systems.
• Knowledge of environmental and safety Local/State/Federal rules/regulations.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Proven problem-solving abilities
• Proven analytical and quality improvement ability
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to interface with all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Ability to understand business principles

Preferred Qualifications:

• System specific: Fanuc Robotics. Cognex Vision Systems. Wonderware. Genetec.
• Lean and Six Sigma experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with AutoCAD or Visio software.
• Experience with ISO or other highly structured business operating system models.
• SAP or other ERP system experience a plus.
• High intellectual capacity and tenacity.
• Proven ability to plan, organize and execute projects.

Physical Demands: Ability to reach all work areas in the plant (i.e. climb ladders, negotiate catwalks, handle heights to 50 feet, etc.), to lift twist and turn up to 50 lb. (i.e. open and close large valves, inspect equipment, and non-emergency equipment as needed. Work Environment: This job is in an industrial, manufacturing environment. Employee will have a workspace in the general office (engineering section), but will spend on average 30% of their day in the plant. The job requires working frequently around and with heavy machinery with moving mechanical parts, and mobile equipment. The environment is not climate controlled and employees must be able to work in environments that may be extremely hot and humid or cold depending upon the operation and the season. Walking surfaces can be wet, dusty, and uneven. Areas of the building where work must be done have high noise levels, vibration, and/or fumes. Some working areas contain the presence of airborne particles which can irritate the skin or eyes. Employees are required to wear personal protective equipment which includes safety toed shoes, ear protection, eye protection and in certain areas may be required to wear dust masks, gloves, respirators, or head protection.