Position: Process (Level I) Automation Engineer Location: Portage, IN Full-time, Direct hire, Onsite Job Summary: The Process (Level I) Automation Engineer is responsible for all field automated processes in the unit, guaranteeing the reliability of plant automation assets through a collaborative team effort with other departments. The engineer is committed to safety and embraces change to drive continuous improvement in the organization.
Role and Responsibilities: - Assists in the development and implementation of plant safety practices that promote an injury and accident-free workplace. Performs all tasks safely under plant safety rules and good practices.
- Maintains, designs, programs, and improves automated machinery and processes.
- Troubleshoots level I, process equipment, and system failures assists in root cause analysis of such failures, and assists in formulating and executing solutions.
- Evaluates baseline departmental metrics and provides the management team with recommendations that lead to measurable bottom-line improvements in safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost.
- Supports the Engineering department with capital project implementation to meet completion schedules and budgets while supporting operational and maintenance needs.
- Supports Instrumentation and other maintenance personnel as needed.
- Communicates with the maintenance manager for supplies and critical spare parts needs.
- Identifies level I automation process deficiencies and actively pursues improvement projects and/or capital projects to guarantee continuous operations.
- Maintains required documentation, and updates drawings as necessary.
- Self-identifies skills/training needs and acquires needed training.
- Follows all applicable laws and regulations to include but not be limited to OSHA, EPA/DEP, etc.
- Attends and fully participates in required meetings.
- Interfaces and communicates with bargaining unit (union) employees in compliance with the current collective bargaining agreement (Union Contract).
- Follows all company policies as outlined in the current company's Policies & Procedures for Salaried Employees Manual and any applicable amendments.
Qualifications and Education Requirements: - Two or Four-year degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering/Computer Science or a related field, or related experience.
- Proficient with at least one of the following PLC types:
- Siemens S7 including TIA portal (V15.0 and above)
- Allen Bradley (RSLogix 5000)
- GE (RXi, HPCi)
Proficiency requires first-person experience with:
- Coding and tuning PID loops.
- TCP/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet/Profibus, and OPC/UA communications setup and usage
- Consumer-Producer Tag, Indirect Addressing, Reflective Memory setup and usage.
- Function Block, Script (as appropriate) and Rung-based coding.
- Coding and designing using SCADA systems.
- First Person experience and familiarity with Field Devices including:
- Pressure, Level, Temperature, Acceleration, Velocity, Flow and Proximity feedback devices.
- Linear Transducers and Rotational Encoders (Absolute/Relative).
Preferred Skills: - Proficient in other computer software including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and AutoCAD.
- Two years' experience in steel processes.
- HMIs (Archestra Wonderware, InTouch, or iFix experience)
- (Plus) Drive Experience