Controls Engineering Intern

Company Philosophy:

The company has built its reputation in the marketplace by demanding high standards for all of its employees. The company’s success is measured by its integrity, honesty, quality products at a fair price with exemplary service to its customers.  This position requires an individual that excels in leadership and is a team player with a superb skill set.  Beyond the technical qualifications of the position it is important that the individual demonstrates a character with strong family values and a willingness to build a solid working relationship with hands-on ownership. 

Purpose and role of job:

This role helps to specify, design, and implement complex controls systems and software programming on production equipment and associated machinery.

Internship Outcomes:

• Improve programming and editing PLC logic skills.
• Improve programming and editing HMI display skills.
• Learn networking skills.
• Gain exposure to troubleshooting electro-mechanical machinery using real-time software, electrical drawings, and a multi-meter.
• Improve effective communication skills in a professional environment.
• Gain experience in high speed manufacturing.
• Gain exposure to cutting edge technology.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Observes OSHA and company safety rules and uses the proper safety equipment at all times.  Identifies potentially dangerous electrical hazards and takes immediate corrective action.
• Supports internal Project and Process Engineers and Maintenance & Production personnel to design, install, interface, and start up new equipment and process controls including: electrical component selection, electrical designs, software assessments & modifications, and problem identification and resolution.
• Assesses, identifies, schematically designs, and makes complex program modifications in DCS’s, PLC’s logic, HMI’s programs and servo controller logic to improve individual equipment and overall system’s performance. Provides quality checks to insure correct software development.
• Diagnoses problems using laptop computers interfaced to PLC’s, HMI’s and servo systems utilizing electrical schematics, meters, oscilloscopes, and any additional resources available.
• Coordinates machine data collection and archiving as well as assists in the analysis of this data.  This requires interfacing production and lab equipment to the plant network as well as maintaining and improving the data historian system.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to increase production operation performance, then initiates and oversees projects to reach this goal.
• Organize equipment documentation from OEMs, FQ produced documents and troubleshooting guides. 
• Shares knowledge and techniques with team members and assists with training of new personnel.

Education and experience requirements:

• Currently enrolled in the following degrees or a related degree:
  • Electro-Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechatronics
  • Automation Engineering
  • Robotics Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
• Personal Computer skills including specific controls programming software and basic e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet applications, and project management software.
• Strong communication skills.
  • Communicates with the process engineers, product design group and maintenance staff to understand what is required to make the machines operate as efficiently as possible while making the best product possible.
  • Communicates with the productions staff to identify problems and possible causes on the machinery.
  • Works closely with the Information Technology department to integrate machine communication networks into the plant network and to maintain and enhance our data historian system.
  • Communicates new equipment information to the Controls Technicians.

• Strong analytical skills.
  • Identifies machine problems and their potential causes by drawing on past experiences and utilizing critical thinking.
  • Devises and performs tests to identify the root cause of problems.
  • Analyzes data from equipment/program testing, event logs, operator/co-worker feedback, and historian data to identify trends and anomalies that indicate sources of inefficiency.
  • Identifies possible causes of future downtime and determine appropriate actions to take to prevent them.

• Programming experience with one or more program languages.

• Wide degree of creativity is encouraged.
  • Can identify numerous alternative solutions and choose between them.
  • Initiates new standards and practices that will improve the effectiveness of the machine controls and controls group.

• Ability to work well with others at any experience level of any team within First Quality.

Work Environment:

• Work in an environment exposed to dust.
• Work in an environment exposed to marked changes in temperature or humidity.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, crawl throughout shift.
• Occasional climbing and reaching into machines.
• Occasional reaching overhead during shift.
• Frequent lifting or carrying of 30 lbs but occasional lifting/carrying which could
• include a two person lift of 100 lbs. from floor to waist, waist to shoulder.
• Constant use of hands.
• Constant light and firm grasping with hands throughout shift.
• Continuous housekeeping by organizing work area.
• Occasional climbing of steps/ladders.
• Occasional twisting and turning of wrists.