Manufacturing Technology Controls Engineer

Job Description

Under the direction of the Automation & Equipment Manager, this position will be responsible for assisting in process improvements, equipment design, and project management associated with the various controls processes.

Shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA programs on the Rockwell Automation platform
• (Studio 5000, ControlLogix and CompactLogix, FactoryTalk View), following site standards for tag naming, routine structure, and documentation.
• Design, configure, and support industrial control networks including EtherNet/IP, device-level ring architectures, managed switches, and IP addressing schemes, in coordination with IT on OT network security and segmentation.
• Evaluate existing control systems, code, and network architecture; identify gaps in reliability, safety, maintainability, and performance; and design and implement improvements.
• Translate product and process requirements into control system specifications by studying equipment, assembly operations, and process flow on the floor with production, quality, and maintenance.
• Specify, procure, install, and commission controls hardware — drives, servos, sensors, instrumentation, vision systems, safety devices — including FAT, SAT, startup, and operator handoff.
• Collect and analyze production, downtime, and process data; quantify losses; and prepare reports and capital appropriation requests with ROI and payback analysis to justify machine improvements, process changes, and capital investment.
• Provide technical troubleshooting support for control system faults affecting production, including off-shift and on-call response for critical downtime. Design and validate machine safety circuits in compliance with OSHA, NFPA 79, and applicable ANSI/RIA and ISO standards; support lockout/tagout, guarding, and risk assessment. Maintain accurate controls documentation — electrical drawings, network diagrams, program backups, and revision control.
• Train maintenance technicians and operators on new and modified systems to build in-house troubleshooting capability. Manage integrators and vendors on assigned projects, including scope, schedule, and technical acceptance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field — or equivalent combination of technical education and hands-on controls experience.
• 3-5 years programming and troubleshooting PLCs in a manufacturing environment, with demonstrated Rockwell/Allen-Bradley proficiency. Working knowledge of industrial networking protocols and troubleshooting. Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, and mechanical drawings.
• Practical understanding of machine safety requirements and electrical safe work practices.
• Willingness to support production during off-hours as needed.
• Candidate needs to be a self-starter and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Strong mechanical aptitudes a plus.
• Strong verbal and technical writing skills with the ability to communicate to broad audiences.
• Knowledge of quality tools and continuous improvement methodologies a plus.
• (FMEA, Root Cause, 5S, Six Sigma, and Process Flow Analysis). Proficient in Microsoft Office to include, Outlook, Excel, and Word, Autodesk Inventor or similar 3D modeling software.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience with robotics (Fanuc) and machine vision systems.
• VFD and servo configuration and tuning.
• SQL, historian, or data analytics experience for production reporting.
• Project management or capital project delivery experience.

Additional Information

This position may involve potential exposure to hazardous materials, and environmental changes (heat/cold), and the employee must be able to work under stress occasioned by production requirements, personnel, and the needs of other departments, utilizing proper body mechanics.

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.