Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

The Mechatronics Engineer is responsible for supporting, improving, modernizing, and integrating automated manufacturing equipment within AFL cable manufacturing operations. The position provides advanced technical expertise in industrial controls, automation, electrical systems, motion control, machine integration, and equipment troubleshooting.

The engineer supports both existing manufacturing assets and new equipment installations, with primary responsibility for machine sustainability and controls modernization projects, PLC/HMI and drive upgrades, equipment integration, advanced troubleshooting, and equipment startup and commissioning.

The Mechatronics Engineer works closely with Maintenance, Process Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Operations, OEMs, and outside integrators to ensure manufacturing equipment is safe, reliable, maintainable, and capable of meeting production requirements.

Responsibilities

Machine Improvement & Automation

• Execute machine improvement and automation projects in support of manufacturing, process, safety, quality, reliability, and operational objectives.
• Develop technical solutions in response to approved project requests from Operations, Process Engineering, EHS, Maintenance, Quality, and other manufacturing support functions.
• Translate defined project needs and performance objectives into controls, automation, electrical, and electromechanical solutions.
• Design, develop, program, integrate, and commission machine modifications involving PLCs, HMIs, drives, motion control, sensors, machine vision, laser measurement systems, safety systems, smart devices, and industrial communications.
• Collaborate with project requestors and other stakeholders to understand the problem, establish technical requirements, evaluate solution alternatives, and define the appropriate scope of work.
• Support projects intended to improve manufacturing performance, including equipment capability, throughput, RFT, scrap reduction, process control, safety, ergonomics, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Develop machine improvements that enhance operator interfaces, diagnostics, alarm handling, process control, error-proofing, and equipment functionality.
• Coordinate technical implementation with Maintenance, Process Engineering, Operations, EHS, OEMs, integrators, and other resources as required.
• Validate completed modifications and confirm that the implemented solution meets the defined project objectives.
• Document machine modifications, controls changes, programming, drawings, settings, and other technical information required for long-term equipment support.

Machine Sustainability & Controls Modernization

• Identify and execute machine sustainability projects addressing obsolete, unsupported, or unreliable controls and automation components.
• Upgrade legacy PLCs, HMIs, variable frequency drives, servo systems, industrial networks, sensors, safety devices, and other machine-control hardware.
• Develop migration strategies for aging or obsolete control platforms while minimizing production risk and equipment downtime.
• Develop and modify PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion-control, and drive applications required for equipment upgrades and improvements.
• Integrate new controls and automation technologies into existing manufacturing equipment.
• Maintain appropriate backups and technical documentation for modified control systems.
• Improve equipment reliability, maintainability, diagnostics, and troubleshooting capability through controls and automation improvements.

Advanced Troubleshooting & Operational Support

• Serve as a technical resource for difficult or recurring equipment problems requiring advanced controls, electrical, automation, or electromechanical troubleshooting.
• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment including I/O, industrial networks, sensors, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, safety circuits, HMIs, and associated electrical systems.
• Analyze equipment failures and recurring problems to determine root cause and develop sustainable corrective actions.
• Support Maintenance and Process Engineering when problems extend beyond normal maintenance troubleshooting capabilities.
• Use electrical…