Automation Engineer

Nature and Scope

The Automation Engineer is responsible for operating and maintaining Automation/Control systems that support all Ohio facilities. The incumbent has responsibility for indirectly supervising and directing internal resources as well as contract service providers. The individual will be responsible for providing Subject Matter Expertise (SME) for various Automation/Control systems including PLC's, HMI's, SCADA, BAS/BMS, vision systems, servo and motor controls, and associated infrastructure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Manage Automation/Control systems

• Technically review maintenance procedures.
• Prepare, maintain, and follow operating, security, and backup procedures for the systems and associated processes to adhere to cGMP's, company, local and state requirements.
• Review metrics on the systems.
• Support shutdown activities and scheduling of PM/repair work.
• Increase Automation/Control system performance through identification of improvements.
• Monitor Automation/Control equipment operation and implement corrective actions for out of specification operation and alarms.
• Optimize spare parts stocking program.
• Support Quality Assurance investigations of Automation/Control issues.
• Coordinate breakdown repair activities and serve as customer point of contact.
• Develop, conduct and document test methods for systems troubleshooting.
• Facilitate completion of change control documentation.
• Develop training modules; provide coaching/feedback to develop/enhance technical personnel capabilities.
• Ensure effective and up to date training.
• Provide technical troubleshooting support to mechanics responding to breakdowns.

Manage Automation/Control Projects

• Working with the customers/end users, identify process improvement projects.
• Develop scope and estimates and manage projects to completion.
• Coordinate support activities such as equipment reconfiguration, changeover, replacement planning, etc.
• Develop and Maintain documentation including User Requirements and Detailed Design Specifications.
• Manage Contract and Internal Resources to execute projects.
• Support Factory Pre-Acceptance of equipment from an Automation/Controls perspective.
• Maintain up-to-date drawing of new and/or existing equipment, systems, and processes.

Coordinate Handover of Automation/Control Equipment from Engineering.

• Work with engineering team to review specifications and provide input.
• Accept/create turnover packages and establish maintenance programs.
• Support qualification activities including protocol generation/review/execution.

Position has responsibilities at multiple locations in central Ohio. Perform any other tasks/duties as assigned by management.

Education Requirements and 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.

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering field is required.
• 1-3 years of experience in industry preferred.
• Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Applications, including Microsoft Project, Word, and Excel.
• Familiar with AutoCad.
• Must be a creative thinker with good interpersonal relationship skills, strong project management and process improvement skills, as well as strong cross-functional teamwork skills.
• Job assignments are complex in nature and require excellent planning, project leadership, technical skills, and communication to be successful in meeting project objectives. The Engineer must be able to coordinate and resolve both interpersonal and technical problems and work independently.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express thoughts in written procedures, protocols, and reports. Ability to write procedures that clearly define required tasks. Ability to proofread other's work for accuracy. Ability to generate presentations/reports to explain and/or analyze areas of responsibility.
• Comfortable working in production environment with multiple priorities. Works effectively as a team member or as a team leader.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, acute attention to detail, excellent time and project management skills, and the drive to complete projects thoroughly is required, as is the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-changing work environment.
• Comfortable establishing culture of performance. Able to effectively delegate while retaining oversight of important tasks.
• Role Models "can-do" attitude. Reinforces positive approach in daily group activities. Readily adapts to changing job duties. Establishes culture that emphasizes responsiveness.
• Hands-on ability to isolate problems and identify root cause of issues.
• Ability to acquire, to organize, and to analyze data to reach accurate conclusions.
• Working knowledge of statistical methods used to develop metrics.
• Ability to teach others how to fix things, ability to analyze data to identify trends and establish corrective actions.
• General understanding of engineering principles as they apply to facility and production equipment. Understanding of maintenance strategies and techniques. Understanding of Continuous Improvement Principles.
• Experience with PLC's and SCADA systems and equipment. Specific knowledge of Siemens Simatic, Rockwell MicroLogix, and FactoryTalk a plus. Ability to specify and configure control equipment.
• Must have an understanding of automation programming (visual basic, C++, ladder logic, structured text, etc.) and demonstrated ability to program and debug/troubleshoot existing code.
• Basic knowledge of OSHA requirements and understanding of cGMP, GDP, and FDA requirements as they apply to automation.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements and understanding of cGMP, GDP, and FDA requirements as they apply to maintenance.
• Ability to understand mechanical layouts and electrical/pneumatic schematics (P&ID's).

Physical Environment and Requirements

• Physically able to wear cleanroom/protective gowning and equipment, including but not limited to gowning, goggles, face shields, respirators, and protective gloves. PPE and Respirators are essential for the health and safety of employees.

American Regent celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

• FMLA poster: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf
• Know Your Rights: Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (eeoc.gov)
• Employee Polygraph Protection Act: https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf

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