Automation Engineer

Summary:

The Automation Electrical Engineer will have responsibilities that include researching, reviewing, and analyzing existing manufacturing methods/processes to identify, design and lead implementation of low-cost quick payback improvements in increased efficiencies and manufacturing service, quality, and cost reduction efforts. In addition, this team member will provide support to the daily operations and processes within the facility.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Evaluate existing manufacturing and operations processes and equipment to identify needed improvements and process controls that would result in increased yield/throughput and/or reduced operating costs
• Analyze and optimize existing PLCs, HMIs, and drive/control motors (servo, steppers, and variable frequency)
• Provide technical, developmental, and vendor analysis in support of engineering initiatives
• Lead efforts to obtain, install, integrate, and debug new processes and equipment to support production needs and new products. Control and track costs of equipment purchases, installation, and internal resources for assigned projects.
• Train production and maintenance personnel in new approaches, processes and equipment
• Author and distribute professional-level production and status reports as required
• Other duties may be assigned

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education/Experience:

• 4-year degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
• Minimum 3 years of experience in automated manufacturing processes having worked on integrated automation projects or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• HMI experience with AB Panel View, GE Quickpanel or Advantech
• PLC programming using Ladder Logic or Structured text; familiar with RS logix 5000 or Proficy Machine Edition
• Drive and motor control expertise with servo motors, stepper motors, and variable frequency drives. Commercial examples include Emerson Control Techniques, AMCI, Oriental Motor, PAC-SCI, and Lenze product familiarity
• Experience in automation network communications protocols (Ethernet IP, Modbus, RS232, DH485, TCP/IP)
• Factory automation experience with assembly languages like C and Visual Basic
• Design of electrical circuits, wiring and controls
• Experience with clean-room environments is desirable

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Perform technical assignments using Electrical/Mechanical Engineering practices and principles.
• Design and implement methods and processes that support quality and quantity goals and objectives.
• Communicate in team oriented, interpersonal, professional and technical environments.

Language Ability:

• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals
• Write routine reports and correspondence
• Speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization

Reason Ability:

• Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables and situations
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form

Computer Skills:

• Solid Works or AutoCad Electrical
• MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, Outlook

Certificates and Licenses:

• No certifications needed
• Six Sigma training is beneficial

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• This position requires equal amounts of work in an office and manufacturing setting
• Employee will be exposed to moving mechanical parts

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Required to walk, use hands and fingers, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Regularly required to lift up to 10lbs, occasionally required to lift up to 40lbs
• Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Internal Notes:

• Electrical Power distribution experience including 3 Phase, Single Phase, and DC systems.
• Controls experience with a multitude of control devices (temp controllers, safety controllers and peripheral devices, speed controllers, wireless transmitters, field bus IO, data acquisition, control devices (solenoids push buttons relays))
• Experience with laser etching and cutting
• Experience with Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation
• Experience with coating systems
• Experience in Distributed control systems
• Experience with Ergonomic Design
• DMAIC, DFMEA, Six Sigma, Lean
• Hands on experience, capability, and initiative
• Key candidates will come from medium to large scale manufacturing (>$1M projects), Custom Equipment Integrators, or OEM design houses, and will have some sort of process/manufacturing/lean background.

• Ramsey, MN 55303, USA