Automation Engineer

Company Overview: BTD is a fast growing metalworking company. We provide custom metalwork services for some of the world’s top brands. Our 1100 employees work from five facilities throughout the Midwest. We invest in our people, our equipment, and our facilities to offer our clients the best value possible. We are also a wholly-owned subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation, a publicly traded company on NASDAQ. 

Summary:  Support Automation Leadership in all activities pertaining to a project. The scope of this job will include planning, budgeting, implementing, overseeing all activity and scheduling as necessary pertaining to a named project. 

Safety is #1 at BTD: Our expectation is that every employee: 1) Strictly follows safety policies, rules and safe work methods. 2) Promptly corrects or reports safety hazards or unsafe conditions. Promptly reports injuries for prompt diagnosis and treatment. 3) Makes regular suggestions for safety process improvements to support continuous improvement in safety. 

Essential Functions: Research, justify, & implement new technology. Investigate cost or productivity improvements and conduct cost justification and feasibility studies where applicable.  Design specialty tools and equipment to improve productivity, quality, and safety in production.  Provide Engineering design and support for both internal and external customers. 

1. Takes direction from Automation Manager or Automation Supervisor to complete tasks for multiple projects.  
2. Design and implement automated systems for use in diverse manufacturing and production environments 
3. Communicate companies capabilities and processes and access customer needs through Sales 
4. Research new equipment purchases where new products or concepts are needed to get a finished product to the customer in the most productive manner possible. 
5. Assist the implementation of ideas and/or special projects, knowing the resources necessary to obtain information to complete projects.
6. Assist Automation Supervisor and/or other engineers in the design and detailing of items within a project with the assistance of 2-D CAD and/or SolidWorks software. 
7. Support existing automation technology with component and process upgrades 
8. Write and edit robotic or PLC programs needed to produce parts for the project or customer. 
9. Create detailed road maps to guide automation projects from conception to final implementation 
10. After design completion – perform construction/assembly, estimating and installation of said project. 
11. Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. 

 Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The minimum level of education and experience required to perform the job.  

• Bachelor’s Degree with minimum of 7 years of experience in engineering or design or 

• Associate’s Degree with minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering or design 

• Must possess a valid driver’s license. 

• The ability to travel and be gone for a week or more if required. (New equipment, shows, seminars, training, customer visits, alternate plant locations, etc.)  

Experience and Skills Required: Recent mechanical and shop experience that includes the following skills and abilities: 

1. Working knowledge of technology and company products and processes 
2. SolidWorks design experience 
3. PLC programming knowledge (line logic and/or block logic) 
4. Robotic programming knowledge (Fanuc, ABB, Universal Robots) 
5. Ability to show initiative by seeking out and identifying new Automation opportunities within the company 
6. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use of hands and fingers to, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee may be exposed to weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

Compensation Salary Range: OTC12 $79,980 - $119,926 annualy. The range for this position is being displayed in compliance with all state and local regulations. Salaries are set based on a number of factors to include an individual's job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and education. This means that no two candidates are alike. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future & continued salary growth. The range provided above does not include additional compensation such as bonus, health benefits, vacation, 401(K) match, etc.

(EO/AAMet/Disability Employer)                                                                                                                         

Salary : $79,980 - $119,926