Automation Engineer

Job Details

Division: Nucor Steel Gallatin LLC

Location: Ghent, KY, United States

Other Available Locations: N/A

Welcome to Nucor, where our unique culture sets us apart. Joining Nucor means becoming part of North Americas largest steel and steel products manufacturer, offering unmatched career opportunities and stability. We are known for our innovative sustainability practices and are the continents largest recycler. Our vibrant culture, built on personal connections and teamwork, empowers every team member with the freedom to innovate and contribute to our collective success. Experience a workplace where safety, efficiency, and meaningful personal connections define every day, enriching both our teammates and the communities we serve.

Nucor supports its teammates with top-tier benefits like Medical, Dental, Vision, and Disability Insurance, 401K and Roth accounts, Profit sharing, Pay-for-performance bonuses, Paid parental leave, Tuition reimbursement, Stock program, Scholarships and more.

Basic Job Functions:

The Automation Engineer is responsible for strengthening the availability, reliability, and performance of Process Control systems to enhance product quality, increase output, and reduce downtime. Core responsibilities include:

• Maintaining Process Control infrastructure, including networks, servers, applications, and related support platforms.
• Developing process software, database tools, programmable logic controller (PLC) programs, and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) applications.
• Administering control application servers, licensing tools, software maintenance agreements, vendor support contracts, and process databases.
• Resolving issues with PLC, HMI, SCADA, plant-floor networking, and manufacturing execution platforms.
• Creating reports, analyzing operating data, and identifying opportunities to increase efficiency, quality, reliability, and product performance.
• Contributing to automation and control initiatives that optimize plant processes.
• Responding to manufacturing system needs during off-hours as required.
• Staying current with advancements in automation technology, plant-floor networking, computer hardware/software, and steelmaking processes.

Safety is the most important part of all jobs within Nucor; therefore, candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to initiate, lead, and uphold safety policies, practices, procedures, and housekeeping standards at all times.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree with a major emphasis in Computer Technology, Electrical Technology, Automation Technology, or a related technical field; OR three years of Process Control, automation, network administration, or computer systems experience.
• Ability to diagnose PLC, HMI, and automation issues in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with high-level programming languages and relational databases (e.g., C++, C#, SQL).
• Proficiency in SQL and PL/SQL with a solid understanding of database design principles.
• Working knowledge of virtualized environments and industrial networking concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain control networks, servers, and related software.

Selection Criteria:

• Leadership Presence/Courage: Willingness and confidence to engage in direct conversations regarding safety, teamwork, accountability, process changes, and organizational alignment.
• Initiative: Proactively identifies opportunities to strengthen equipment, workflows, and team execution while taking ownership of responsibilities and challenges.
• Teamwork: Works effectively with others to achieve common goals and support a positive team environment.
• Organizing, Planning, & Prioritizing Work: Develops specific goals and plans for prioritizing, organizing, and accomplishing individual and team objectives. Demonstrates effective time management and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Communication: Ability to actively listen, clearly communicate technical information, and effectively collaborate with operators, maintenance personnel, vendors, and leadership.
• Accountability & Dependability: Demonstrates reliability, ownership, and commitment to fulfilling obligations while holding self and others accountable for achieving results.
• Problem Solving & Judgment/Decision Making: Identifies issues, gathers and analyzes information, evaluates alternatives, and implements effective solutions in a timely manner.
• Maintenance Systems/Techniques: Knowledge of maintenance and reliability practices, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation to improve uptime and equipment performance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Ability to program and configure PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or comparable controllers.
• Background in building, configuring, and maintaining operator interface and SCADA applications.
• Hands-on involvement in process optimization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of plant electrical, mechanical, and automation controls.
• Knowledge of operational reporting, web-based applications, historian platforms, and data visualization tools.
• Working knowledge of code/version management tools (Git, Azure DevOps, or similar).
• Familiarity with communication protocols and networking technologies such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC, or similar.
• Background in maintaining virtualized server environments and control infrastructure.

Nucor is an Equal OpportunityEmployer and a drug-free workplace