Job Description

JOB PURPOSE:

Responsible for improving manufacturing processes and equipment with emphasis on automation, controls, programming, reliability, safety, quality, and cost. Leads complex equipment projects and troubleshoots mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and data issues in partnership with operations, maintenance, IT, quality, and vendors.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED: 4-year degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Controls, Automation, Computer Engineering, or related engineering field

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 5+ years manufacturing, equipment, automation, or controls engineering experience

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (Preferred qualifications)

• Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC, HMI, motion-control, servo, drive, sensor, and industrial I/O systems.
• Experience with Siemens TIA Portal, ladder logic, structured text, or function block diagrams preferred.
• Programming experience with SQL, VBA, Python, C#, Visual Basic, Ignition, or similar manufacturing tools preferred.
• Experience integrating manufacturing equipment with MES, databases, production clients, or other data systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings and to produce clear technical documentation.
• Experience leading equipment upgrades, vendors, testing, validation, and production implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead manufacturing equipment, automation, controls, and process-improvement projects from definition through production handoff.
• Diagnose complex mechanical, electrical, controls, software, network, and process problems and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop, modify, test, and document PLC, HMI, motion-control, machine-client, scripting, and data-handling logic.
• Specify and integrate motors, drives, sensors, instrumentation, I/O, communications hardware, and control components.
• Modernize legacy equipment and controls, including obsolescence planning, backups, source code, version records, and recovery documentation.
• Work with operations, maintenance, IT, quality, vendors, and system integrators to safely implement equipment and software changes.
• Use production and equipment data to evaluate performance, identify losses, and verify improvement results.
• Create troubleshooting guides, drawings, settings, work instructions, and training needed for sustainable plant support.
• Mentor engineers and technicians in automation, controls, programming, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Support production needs in a 24/7 manufacturing environment, including occasional off-hours support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Knowledge

• Industrial automation, controls, manufacturing equipment, and process improvement
• PLC, HMI, motion-control, software, database, and production-system interfaces
• Safety, quality, change control, and equipment documentation practices

Skills

• Advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis
• Controls programming, equipment integration, data analysis, and project leadership
• Clear technical communication and cross-functional collaboration

Abilities

• Work independently on complex, high-impact technical problems
• Balance immediate production recovery with long-term reliability and maintainability
• Manage multiple priorities and transfer knowledge to others

WORK ENVIRONMENT - Plant