Automation & Controls Engineer

Location

Spokane Washington 99201 United States

The Manufacturing Support Automation & Controls Engineer reports to the Process Improvement Engineering Manager. This position supports/leads flow team directed Manufacturing Excellence activities being conducted at the Trentwood facilities. The role works with facilitators, engineers, manufacturing leaders, craft personnel and operators, as needed, with the goal of improving process capability, lowering manufacturing cost, increasing reliability and reducing waste in the operation.

• Validate and maintain control system design/architecture for new and existing equipment.
• Provide support and coordination for equipment start-ups and maintenance outages.
• Assist in trouble‑shooting equipment control and electrical systems.
• Provide engineering support for the maintenance and operations resources during troubleshooting and RCA activities.
• Perform controlled process improvement changes in PLC systems, HMI systems, and in level 2 server and coordination systems.
• Coordinate with vendors, process engineers, and production personnel for continuous improvement.
• Develop project scope, feasibility, cost estimates, and schedule, for assigned projects.
• Prepare, organize, and update project documentation (Manuals, PM's spare parts, correspondence, drawings, drawing lists, material listings, etc.).
• Help support and develop a culture at Kaiser Trentwood that promotes lean thinking and right‑first‑time for all work performed.
• Collaborate with the operational team to develop and report performance metrics against targets to determine gaps in performance and recommend/excute improvement initiatives.
• Advise the team on improvement opportunities through requirements gathering, data extraction/transformation, organized analysis and effective visualization of information.
• Drive process consistency through standard work, process control, right‑first‑time, and management of change.
• Comply with all safety, quality and environmental regulations.

• An undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.
• A degree in Computer Engineering combined with industrial experience may substitute for the Electrical Engineering degree.
• An undergraduate degree in ME Automation with sufficient coursework in automation/robotics may also substitute.
• 0‑5 years previous electrical engineering experience.
• Experience with industrial PLC systems, HMI systems or distributed control systems, or relevant laboratory education.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong PC skills, including Windows, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the maintenance department of a heavy industrial facility.
• Familiarity with database tools and techniques.
• Programming experience. (Python preferred)
• Familiarity with CMMS software (MAXIMO preferred).
• Knowledge of National Electrical Code, AC & DC motors.

• Be energetic, disciplined and focused on a team‑building operational organization.
• Have well developed interpersonal and business partnering skills, with the ability to quickly adapt to, be accepted by, and interrelate with the organization at all levels.
• Be willing to work flexible hours.
• Be self‑motivated, self‑learning, and willing to educate themselves and others in a changing environment.

• Refer to training matrix on file with Quality Department.

• Attendance and Dependability:
  The employee can be depended upon to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
• Communication and Contact:
  The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
• Relationships with Others:
  The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee…