Automation Engineer

Short Intro and About the Job

About the Job:

The Automation Engineer is a self-driven/self-motivated individual capable of working proficiently, both independently and as part of a team, without direct supervision. The successful individual must have a passion for safety and be able to foster effective working relationships built upon trust and respect within all levels of the organization.

This position is responsible for Control Systems engineering with current, hands-on expertise in system design, implementation, management, and continuous improvement. Communicates and negotiates effectively across all levels of plant and corporate operations, finance, QA, R&D, tech services, vendors, contractors and integrators.

• Support current manufacturing and partner with stakeholders to design and implement Automation and Controls Systems that improve reliability, efficiency, food quality, and safety.
• Maintain and enforce automation standards across plant systems.
• Update and maintain automation systems and architecture.
• Develop preliminary design presentations to evaluate projects and secure approval.
• Interface with all levels of plant and corporate personnel, contractors, suppliers, marketing, R&D, QA, and legal.
• Apply sound technical, communication, and negotiation skills to deliver improvement projects on scope and budget.

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire an Automation Engineer based in Mt. Crawford, Virginia !


Key Responsibilities

As a key member of our team, you will play an important role in driving our mission forward. The following responsibilities outline the core expectations and contributions for this position:

• Document current Automation and Controls Systems, identify improvement areas, design future-state solutions using current technology, and implement sustaining improvements.
• Optimize current Automation and Control Systems to meet all customer, regulatory, and internal requirements.
• Commission new Automation and Control Systems equipment and processes into operation.
• Provide visual reporting of events and trends to Operations to support root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Leverage contracted resources with the right expertise to achieve project scope.
• Delegate project tasks to keep objectives, scope, budget, and timelines on track.
• Interface with cross-functional teams, including marketing, finance, QA, Tech Services, R&D, and all levels of plant personnel.
• Partner with corporate automation resources, plant managers, supervisors, maintenance, and operators to gather input and ensure smooth implementation of improvement projects.
• Review automation controls related documents (electrical drawings, functional analysis), HMI design and programming to ensure it adheres to the Automation standard.
• Ensure Automation and Control Systems meet performance and safety requirements, deliver consistent and repeatable results, and enforce Danone automation standards for equipment.
• Develop internal policies, procedures, and documentation, and deliver training on current and new Automation and Control Systems.
• Support Danone initiatives and goals as assigned.
• Responsible for 9 Instrument Control Techs (ICT)
• Travel required up to 10% or as required by the project's success and schedule.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs and ladders, balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear. Occasionally required to lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate noise and temperature variations.
• Work schedules could include nights, weekends and/or holidays to provide the ability to support a 24/7 manufacturing environment as business needs dictate.

Engagement in our Integrated Work Systems

Ensure adherence to plant standards and procedures (including but not limited to GMP, AIB, FDA, IWS, Quality, Safety, Finance, ISO, HOPE, Danone Behaviors, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE). As a fundamental piece of the organization, your responsibility is to participate and own the implementation and deployment of IWS system and its pillars (Leadership foundation, Daily Direction Setting, Driving OE; Autonomous Maintenance; planned Maintenance; Focused Improvement; Education and Training; Environmental, Health and Safety; Quality; Organization; Supply Network; Early Equipment Management) with the objective of owning your space, owning your performance (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Mobilization, Nature) and owning your continuous improvement.


Compensation & Benefits:

The salary range for this role is: $95K to $115K . Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus and has a strong benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription Drug Coverage, 401k Plan, Wellness Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Time Off, and Paid Parental Bonding Leave, among other benefit plan options.


About You

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of education, experience, and skills that enable them to excel in this position. The following qualifications outline what we're looking for, including both required and preferred criteria:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering discipline (Electrical or Computer Software Engineering preferred) from an accredited College or University preferred.
• Minimum five (5) years of Automation and Control Systems Engineering Project Management experience required, preferably in CPG beverage/food manufacturing.
• Automation and Control Systems installation, supervision, maintenance, and continuous improvement experience required.
• OT Cybersecurity experience is a plus
• Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing certification(s), a plus.

MINIMUM SKILLS and QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong Automation and Control Systems engineering experience in the food, dairy and or pharmaceutical industries.
• Dairy / Plant Based Beverage experience a plus.
• Solid understanding of food safety regulations - PMO, 3A and FDA Food Safety knowledge / experience required.
• Experience in planning, supporting, or implementing MES systems
• Experience and working knowledge of Allen Bradley/ Rockwell PLC programming required.
  • RS Logix 500
  • RS Logix Studio 5000 (Ladder, Function Block, Sequential function chart, Structured Text is a plus)
• Experience and working knowledge in Industrial networking
  • Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP
  • DeviceNet
  • Actuator Sensor Interface (AS-i)
• Experience and working knowledge of distributed scada systems
  • Wonderware
  • Factory Talk View ME & SE
  • Ignition
• Experience and working knowledge in Microsoft Office suite and windows operating system
• Experience and working knowledge in AutoCad and Microsoft Visio
• Experience and working knowledge of MSSQL
• Experience in electrical systems design
• Experience supervising Systems Integrators in the mechanical and electrical installations of the control systems, as well as commissioning.
• Must be highly self-directed and able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Flexible to consider additional information or ideas when formulating solutions.
• Highly organized and self-disciplined; able to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Excellent conflict resolution and interpersonal skills.
• Fast learner and quickly adapts to change
• Strong written and presentation skills.
• Formal Management of Change (MOC) experience is a plus.

About Us, We offer and What's next

Danone U.S. is part of Danone North America, a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. You'll work with some of the best-known food and beverage brands in the world. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia®, DanActive®, Danimals®, Dannon®, evian®, Follow Your Heart®, Happy Family® Organics, International Delight®, Light + Fit®, Nutricia ®, Oikos®, Silk®, So Delicious® Dairy Free, STōK® Cold Brew Coffee ®, Too Good & Co™, and YoCrunch®.


With approximately 5,000 employees and 13 production locations across the U.S., Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.


You'll be part of one of the largest Certified B Corps™ in the world , working to make sure our company creates real value for people and the planet. Come join our movement for a healthier world: One Planet. One Health BY YOU.

Danone North America is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. It is our policy to give equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to legally protected characteristics, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state/provincial and/or local law. For our EEO policy statement and your EEO rights under law click here.

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