Automation and Controls Engineer

Summary:
The Automation Controls Engineer is responsible for the designing, programming, building, installing, and maintaining plant automated systems with guidance from the Electrical Automation Manager. This position will perform various functions relative to electrical controls, trouble shooting and new installations while at the same time periodically instructing and guiding other maintenance and plant personnel. The Automation Controls Engineer also collaborates with Operations personnel seeking ways to optimize plant operations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
• Programming and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs and industrial PCs for a variety of industrial automation scenarios
• Control box design, build, test, install and maintain
• Design electrical control solutions based on custom requirements using the latest version of AutoCAD
• Create functional descriptions, flow charts, and control narratives for automation systems and adaptations
• Analyze overall plant systems and their operations ensuring proper functionality
• Perform electrical preventative maintenance and troubleshooting in a systematic manner when applicable
• Plans, directs, and records periodic electrical testing, recommends modification or replacement of equipment failing to meet operating standards
• Installs/repairs wiring & small conduit, including the bending and threading of conduit, according to accepted codes and NEC standards
• Monitors inventory part levels ensuring timely availability of product
• Use electrical instrumentation, process controls, relay logic, and control circuits to wire, configure, and maintain motor control circuits (including Soft Starts and Variable Frequency Drives)
• Instructs and supervises personnel and/or contractors on project installations and complying with all safety rules and procedures, including reporting and correcting unsafe actions or conditions in a timely manner

• Respond to emergency calls as directed
• Create and/or file various written reports, including schematics for new or modified systems and requested work estimates

Global Responsibilities:
• Regular attendance and physical presence at work is an essential function of this position
• This job may require additional duties not listed above and the employee may be asked to perform those duties to meet business needs

Qualifications:

Education/Specialized Knowledge/Professional Certifications:
• High School diploma or equivalent required
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering preferred, but not required
• Specialized education or training preferred
• PLC training and experience, college or vocational

Experience:
• 5 years’ experience in an industrial setting with 110v/208v and 480v
• Possess knowledge in PLC architecture, programming, installations, and maintenance practices
• Ability to read and interpret manuals, parts catalogs, electrical/control schematics as they apply
• Possess basic knowledge of NFPA-70 (NEC) and NFPA 70E (ARC Flash & Electrical Safety)

Skills/Abilities:
• Work with Safety as an important value, to create a safe work environment for everyone
• Ability to work reasonable overtime and off hour occasions as requested by Management
• Must be a self-starter and demonstrate a sense of urgency
• Possess strong inter-personal and communication skills
• Demonstrate and encompass the values of Ozinga

Working Conditions:
• Operation within a fast-paced environment
• Exposed to moving mechanical parts, vehicles, heavy construction equipment, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions
• Noise level is usually moderate, but can be high and requires personal hearing protection on occasion at job sites, plants and laboratories
• Must be able to work through stressful situations while maintaining professionalism and composure
• Local Travel Required
• Possibility of short duration, long-distance travel.

Physical Requirements:
• Regularly required to talk or hear; frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl
• Must be able to stand and move about job sites with uneven and unpaved ground while managing concrete delivery onsite
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
• Must be able to operate buttons, levers, and other controls located on various equipment
• Must be able to work flexible hours as necessary
• Must be able to maneuver in and around our plants, yards and jobsites as necessary
• Lift/Carry up to 55 pounds frequently
• Lift up to 100 pounds occasionally