Data Engineer

Manufacturing Data Visualization Engineer Join our Advanced Engineering team in Newark, Ohio or Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is an onsite position. At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role, either now or in the future. Therefore, we cannot move forward with candidates who would require sponsorship and/or are on (e.g., H-1B, F-1, STEM OPT, OPT) visas. The Manufacturing Data Visualization Engineer will improve operational performance by turning manufacturing and production data into clear, practical visualizations for operators, supervisors, and engineers. As a member of the Intelligent Factory Team, this role develops and maintains near real-time dashboards, performance boards, and decision-support tools that support safe, consistent, and data-driven execution across the value stream. The successful candidate will combine strong software and visualization skills with a practical understanding of industrial operations to deliver user-centered tools that improve situational awareness, adherence to standard work, escalation response, and continuous improvement outcomes. Visualizations are built reusing Kaiser’s Intelligent Factory Solution (IFS) architecture. The software stack includes Microsoft SQL, MongoDB, and Inductive Logic Historian for data storage; deviceWISE as the configurable middleware transport layer, Inductive Automation Ignition (Python and Java) as UI along with programmable logic controllers. Candidates will understand and support the architecture, software, and continued product evolution at Kaiser Aluminum’s North American facilities. What you will work on: Design, develop, and maintain standard dashboards that clearly communicate equipment status, process conditions, production progress, quality indicators, and constraints in a near real-time format Translate plant operating needs into intuitive visual elements (status states, trends, thresholds, alerts, control limits, and at-a-glance health indicators) Partner with operations leaders and subject matter experts to define standard visualization patterns (common layouts, naming, color conventions, alarm prioritization, and KPI definitions) to drive consistent interpretation across manufacturing lines and shifts Implement visual management tools for daily management routines (shift handoff, tier meetings, performance boards, escalation cues, action tracking) Build and support standardized reporting and visualization for KPIs such as OEE components, throughput, downtime categorization, yield/scrap, rework, cycle time, schedule attainment, and other plant-defined metrics Provide documentation, training, and user guidance to support adoption and sustained use of visualization tools Develop and maintain data access utilities and curated interfaces (standardized queries, semantic layers, pre-defined extracts, governed KPI definitions) that allow users to retrieve the right information without needing deep technical skills Collaborate with data engineering / OT / IT resources to ensure visualization tools are built on trusted, governed data sources while minimizing duplication or manual workarounds Ensure dashboards and visualization tools are reliable, performant, and maintainable (version control, change management, release notes) Maintain alignment with cybersecurity, access control, and data governance requirements Strong working knowledge of data structures and querying (SQL, time-series concepts), with the ability to work effectively with historians and operational datasets Translate ambiguous user needs into clear visualization requirements, then deliver usable tools in iterative releases What you will bring to the position: Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent experience Five years’ visualization development experience, preferably in manufacturing or industrial settings Minimum three to five years of experience working with process engineers/business analysts to translate functional requirements into technical requirements and making architectural decisions Competent with T-SQL and database theory and structures Basic knowledge in networking and client-server transactions Broad contemporary understanding of information technologies and trends Demonstrated experience with MBSE and documentation, SysML or similar Strong communications skills with ability to clearly articulate, collaborate and substantiate recommendations with team and illustrate and propose design concepts prior to software construction Produce high quality, well documented, thoroughly tested, and efficient applications and reports Work incrementally and comfortable with collaboration and peer review Use Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) to incrementally evolve a system in phases Proven ability to manage concurrent development tasks Excellent problem solving, investigative, experimental, and statistical analysis skills Manufacturing experience is a plus. Exposure to Digital Twins a plus Work environment in the plant: Approximately 90% of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions, while 10% of the job function is in the plant; this may vary by project. There is exposure to operating machinery and a manufacturing environment Travel may be required, on average not exceeding 15% of the time and is project driven We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status. #J-18808-Ljbffr Kaiser Aluminum