Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Systems

Job Location: Hershey, PA

The Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Automation Systems, works closely with cross functional teams in engineering and Information Technology. This resource helps implement the digital strategic direction for machinery and equipment solutions to automate production processes and/or systems. The successful candidate works with project teams to implement systems and deliver measurable value for Hershey. Reporting to the Senior Manager Operations Technology Digital Systems, this individual helps ensure solutions and their delivery align with Hershey’s Digital Roadmap.

Specific Role Focus Areas:

• Executes digital automation solutions across Hershey’s manufacturing sites.
• Uses understanding of process control network architecture and security requirements to ensure manufacturing solutions are as secured as possible.
• Effectively communicates across all levels and disciplines of the organization.
• Understands both industry and business standards in executing optimal solutions.
  
  

Interactions and Partnerships:

• Information Technology
• Operational Technology
• Environment, Health, and Safety
• Supply Chain Quality
• Continuous Improvement
• Other key stakeholders and leadership teams, including Quality and Regulatory Compliance, Procurement, Marketing, Operations Business Development, Manufacturing Alliances, Supply Planning and Production Planning
• External vendors, contractors, and engineering firms
  
  

Travel Expectations:

The Senior Engineer travels as needed to fulfill job duties including international and domestic supply chain network sites; estimated at 25% of work time.

Capital Project Execution:

• Leads the execution of digital systems and solutions with guidance from more senior team members.
• Participates in project implementation teams in support of yearly capital project portfolio.
• Uses engineering knowledge, judgment, creativity, and experience to execute highly technical IT/OT digital initiatives.
• Supports development of new procedures and technologies, identifying new industry trends with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Serves as a digital systems resource for capital projects.
  
  

Innovation:

• Drives the delivery, knowledge transfer and value generation of the digital manufacturing suite of applications.
• Provides support to project teams and internal and external technical resources to assess opportunities for application of innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiencies, while achieving optimum business value.
• Exhibits sound judgment and effective analysis of emerging technologies.
  
  

Business Knowledge:

• Experienced with process controls, digital technologies and automation systems, and exposure to MES and ERP integration concepts.
• Experience supporting projects focused on industrial data collection and analysis.
• Uses knowledge to execute digital automation solutions.
• Applies technical and operational understanding to identify effective and economical digital solutions.
• Able to implement projects in support of the strategic plan to establish digital and automation systems as a standard for continuous improvement within the manufacturing network.
• Demonstrates proficiency and knowledge of complex food industry manufacturing (or the equivalent), to include good manufacturing practices.
• Provided digital systems support for suppliers to ensure alignment with Hershey strategies and standards.
  
  

Leadership and Development:

• Practices personal and team accountability for the development and enforcement of our digital and automation solutions standards and best practices
• Recognized as a subject matter resource with supplier companies, Hershey teammates and engineering disciplines.
• Is a leader in guiding the convergence of information technology and operational technology systems in support of the Digitally Integrated Manufacturing Stack of application.
  
  

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

• Working knowledge and/or exposure to some of the following:
• Programming languages/scripting (IEC 61131-3, C#, Python, SQL, etc.)
• Modern software architectures, including microservices, containers, OSI Model Layers 1-4, cloud computing technologies.
• Network architecture, virtual machine environments (VMWare), VLANs, firewall rules, servers
• Industrial control system integration using open integration protocols OPC/MQTT
• Unified Namespace Architecture, ISA-95, event driven architectures
• AVEVA PI Systems architecture including connectivity, asset framework management, client visualization tools.
• Control system components and architecture systems (e.g., PLCs, Ethernet, Kepware OPC, Microsoft Networking [TCP/IP], HMI/SCADA)
• State-of-the-art control components and systems
• Securing systems running ICS-related communications protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, OPC, MODBUS, ProfiNET)
• Industrial Control Network architecture
• Preferred design and development experience includes:
• Ignition: Plan and drive system specification, design, architecture, and development.
• Database: Design of data strategy for manufacturing, quality, and business enterprise systems
• AVEVA PI: Develop and define data structures / guide UI development.
• Robotics (OTTO, FANUC): Design and implementation of robotic integration into higher systems.
• Software development methodologies, version control systems, automated testing techniques
• Education and Experience Requirements
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or other closely related field of study
• 5 years’ experience leading and designing digital automation and controls projects