Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

Accountability Objective

This position is accountable for new process development for the production of existing products; design and fabrication of test fixtures; designs, develops and/or purchases equipment to produce a quality and cost-effective product. This position is accountable for design, redesign, layout, and engineering of tooling, equipment, and machinery; to monitor the completion schedules of projects of product application or design; and for accurate cost estimates of product quotation requests.

This position is accountable for trouble shooting of all machinery to produce a quality product in a cost-effective manner.

Dimensions

Annual Sales +/- $100MM

Plant 68,400 sq. ft.

Nature and Scope

The position reports to the Automation Manager, as does the Process Engineer (Assembly), and Assembly Technician.

The incumbent must be the technical expert for assembly in areas such as material strength, manufacturing processes, OSHA standards, electrical/pneumatic controls, fluid power, tool/fixture design and construction as well as computer aided drafting. The incumbent must be an established effective problem solver with creativity in the design and manufacturing and industrial engineering field.

The position is responsible for obtaining quote requests for capital expenditures. During the justification process to purchase a piece of equipment, the incumbent studies the existing operations and then determines how to accommodate the new equipment yet maintaining a smooth flow of materials. The incumbent must determine how machines could be moved at the lowest cost and least interruption of production.

In some areas, production equipment cannot be moved without his/her authorization. The incumbent also determines what auxiliary equipment should be purchased (lighting, ventilation, storage, etc.)

The incumbent maintains a close relationship with various vendors and suppliers who sell or install manufacturing equipment. When a project is approved, the incumbent will act as project manager and ensure all activities are completed per the identified schedules, being mindful of the budget and ensuring implementation is per the project plan. Ensuring that complete drawings, specifications, layouts and documentation for operations/maintenance are available upon completion and turnover to the production area.

The incumbent is responsible for writing and updating processes to ensure proper methods of manufacturing. The incumbent conducts time studies and evaluates existing processes to ensure that standards are maintained.

The incumbent assists product design with new/existing manufacturing processes and methods. The position provides the estimator with information for costing of new and existing products. The position has the responsibility for justifying new tooling and new technology in the manufacturing areas. The incumbent must also maintain all new and existing prints of tooling. The incumbent is responsible for keeping up to date on new manufacturing processes and methods and work to improve efficiency in the manufacturing areas.

The position is also responsible for training assistance on operation and preventative maintenance of installed equipment. This position shall be comfortable programming numerous different machines with several different programming languages.

Skills in human relations are very important since the incumbent must work closely with many people. A requirement of this position is the ability to interact with individuals throughout the company, as well as individuals external to the company. Therefore, the incumbent must possess excellent communication skills, including both written and oral. The incumbent must conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times to promote good working relationships among supervisors, peers, and if applicable, direct reports and indirect reports.

To be successful in this position, the incumbent must be computer proficient and must fully understand software applications necessary for the successful completion of their job functions.

Principal Accountabilities

• Be the technical expert for assembly processes including, but not limited to automatic assembly technology, PLC integration/programming, lean principles for reduction of waste, vision detection/programming and value stream mapping.
• Designs and supervises the installation and building of production tools, fixtures, jigs, and workstations, to improve safety, efficiency, reliability, profit and ensures design and material specifications are meet.
• Manages projects and ensures they are kept within established budgets and approves invoices for equipment and installation.
• Assists in the monitoring of government requirements (EPA, OSHA, etc.) to ensure that systems and stations are in compliance with established standards.
• Provide input on costs for cost-reduced products and sets manufacturing standards for existing processes and methods to establish production costs.
• Make calculations to determine the…