Automation Engineer

Summary

Create new, efficient and effective automated manufacturing systems while implementing the cornerstones of Industry 4.0. This role works with application and manufacturing engineers, quality personnel, and manufacturing and maintenance staff defining, designing, and documenting control systems for automated equipment. The successful candidate should have the skills required for programming automated equipment (robots, HMI, controllers) using various languages and providing software solutions to pass manufacturing data from machine to machine within the manufacturing process.

The Automation Engineer must be able to write software that takes up positional information, manipulate this information as required, and pass this on to other production machines and to the CDI manufacturing network and data lake.

• Design and implement automated systems for use in polymer manufacturing and production environments
• Support existing automation technology with component and process upgrades
• Review and evaluate new equipment and systems to ensure compliance with established hardware, software, and design standards.
• Selects the appropriate technology for projects (PLC, Drive, Instruments, Sensors, Valves, Actuators, MCC, Motors, etc.) and ensures that they are fully compatible.
• Performs engineering studies on new equipment to determine proper settings, control points, etc.
• Lead collaborative discussions between leadership and key stakeholders to determine automation capabilities and goals.
• Direct and motivate cross-functional teams (internal and external) on automation projects relating to existing and new product lines.
• Create project technical performance specifications, feasibility evaluations, estimating, risk assessments.
• Develop project-specific scope-of-design and design deliverables in alignment with Stakeholder requirements.
• Complete project functions within agreed upon time frames and budgets to ensure operations are efficiently maintained and downtime is minimized.
• Create detailed road maps to guide automation projects from conception to final implementation.
• Host frequent, formal design review meetings with design teams to ensure outputs continually satisfy design goals including functionality, reliability, quality, budget, and timeline.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical or manufacturing Engineering or an equivalent discipline combined with a minimum of four (5) years of practical, applied engineering design experience relating to industrial equipment including machine design, mechanical, fluid power, electrical & automation, or mechatronics disciplines.
• Proven track record illustrating successful leadership of cross-functional work teams in the successful completion & total ownership of design projects.
• Proficiency in Omron PLC programming and hardware design, SCADA systems (i.e. Indusoft), control system architectures, communication networks (Ethernet I/P, Profibus, Modbus, etc.), and control system design principles.
• Thorough understanding and hands-on experience using design software (i.e. Autodesk and Solidworks products or equivalent) and the ability to read, understand, and create drawings, flowcharts, schematics, as it relates to control system design documentation.
• Familiarity with automated equipment (robots) from Fanuc and Universal Robots.
• Embodies a strong character of accountability and leadership, exemplifying project ownership and management skills.
• Exhibits excellent problem-solving skills, sound decision making abilities, and demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrates self-confidence and the ability to interface with multiple departments, consultants, and contractors.
• Holds a solid understanding of software development, computer programming and troubleshooting.

The work environmental characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This role is performed in office, laboratory and industrial manufacturing environments. Occasional travel, less than 20%, is…