Automation Engineer

Keystone Cement Company, founded in 1926, is a Titan America business which manufactures quality Portland and masonry cement used in the construction of highways, bridges, and buildings.  Our goal is to provide our customers with the highest quality products and services, and to be the supplier of choice in the construction industry.

Keystone is proud of its commitment to the environment and its relationship with the local community.  Our employees are active citizens in the Lehigh Valley.  As a company we are committed to building a better life for them and for our neighbors in the community.

Position Title: Automation Engineer

About the Role:

The Automation Engineer will design, develop, and maintain systems that streamline industrial and business processes. Effectively participate in activities associated with the automation of all the electrical, electronic, and instrumentation systems in the plant, reporting directly to the Electrical Maintenance Manager. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and administer safety in all areas of responsibility. Exhibit knowledge of and ensure compliance with all safety regulations. Independently identify and correct safety hazards; counsel employees for non-compliance with safety rules. Conduct or ensure that regular safety training, safety topic meetings and task training are being completed as required. Perform area inspections as required. Cooperate with all external inspectors as necessary.


• Provide the engineering and programming requirements to maintain and satisfy all plants systems’ automation requirements. Interact with other department representatives to develop the correct sequence of operation and P&I D loops for all system upgrades and automation changes requested or required. Write monthly reports on equipment status and work accomplished.


• Perform daily review of the ECS system and all other automation systems to ensure proper operation, making corrections and or repairs where required using the necessary department assets or outside services to accomplish this goal.


• Work with team to manage all work orders associated with automation and control in the plant, keeping the open work orders to a minimum.


• Ensure all drawing and engineering documentation associated with automation in the plant is properly saved and stored.


• Work with the Maintenance Planner, Purchasing, and the storeroom to ensure we have adequate inventory of spare parts associated with our automation systems to ensure the plant will operate at optimum efficiency with no interruption to system control. Research and order parts and materials associated with automation projects in the plant not currently in inventory.


• Oversee work performed by outside contractors that are hired to perform automation services.

• Assume weekend call responsibility in accordance with the weekend call schedule and fill in during vacation, illness, or any other unforeseen event in the Electrical Department.

• Work with the Electrical Maintenance Manager in analyzing and forecasting of maintenance budget. Assist the Electrical Maintenance Manager in planning all major outages and all phases of maintenance in their areas of responsibility and in the development and control of the Capital Budget and the Plant Operating budget when requested. Recommend and research cost savings projects, major jobs, and Capital appropriations for area of responsibility. This should include initial budget of labor and costs for these projects.


• Assist and work with hourly electrical department personnel to resolve issues and perform new installations.


• Support and motivate the workforce to keep a productive team operating. Assist with the administration of technical training for the Electrical Department as required to ensure quality performance in all areas of responsibility. Identify additional training needs and provide training and development opportunities to employees.

Qualifications:

• 4-year degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or a related engineering discipline.


• Minimum of 2-year experience in heavy industry.


• Effective communication skills.


• Demonstrated organizational and delegation skills.


• Must be able to successfully interact and collaborate in a team environment.


• Computer skills, proficient in Microsoft applications.


• Knowledge of cement facilities and equipment preferred.


• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced plant environment.


• Able to physically inspect plant properties where climbing steps and ladders, observing at heights, and traversing uneven work surfaces is required.


• Able to wear all required MSHA personal protective equipment.


• Proper wear and use of respirator, when needed.

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation.


• Comprehensive medical (including prescription), dental, and vision insurance.


• Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account.


• Life insurance.


• 401(k) with company match.


• Paid time off.


• Career advancement opportunities within a large, growing, publicly traded industrial organization.


• Exposure to complex industrial systems and major capital projects.


• A collaborative culture focused on safety, environmental, and operational excellence.

Work Environment

This role operates within a heavy industrial cement manufacturing environment and will require regular field presence throughout the plant. Candidates should be comfortable working around heat, dust, noise, moving equipment, and outdoor conditions while always adhering to appropriate PPE and safety requirements.

Keystone Cement Company is an equal opportunity employer.