Sr. Automation/Controls Engineer

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We're committed to bringing safety, quality, and customer focus to the business of advanced ceramics manufacturing.

Job Title
Sr. Automation/Controls Engineer

As the Sr Automation/Controls Engineer, you will serve as a senior technical expert in industrial automation and controls and executes against the function’s manufacturing and engineering strategy. You will be responsible for understanding, defining, implementing, and supporting automation and controls systems across manufacturing operations. Responsibilities include identifying process and equipment improvements, performing technical and cost-benefit analyses, developing equipment and controls specifications, evaluating equipment suppliers and system integrators, supporting project proposals, and leading equipment installation, programming, integration, commissioning, and technology transfer activities.

You will also be accountable for improving manufacturing capability, yield, productivity, reliability, safety, and equipment effectiveness through development and application of automation technologies. You will support development and standardization of automation architectures, controls practices, and manufacturing data connectivity that can be effectively maintained and deployed across multiple manufacturing sites.

Role & Responsibilities:

- Serve as a senior engineering subject matter expert in industrial automation, controls, and related manufacturing technologies.
- Provide hands-on engineering support for the design, programming, integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment.
- Lead complex troubleshooting and root-cause analysis involving PLCs, HMIs, electrical controls, instrumentation, motion systems, networks, sensors, and associated manufacturing equipment.
- Develop and maintain PLC and HMI programming standards, controls specifications, electrical/control system documentation, program backups, version control practices, and other automation standards to improve equipment maintainability and consistency.
- Design, program, commission, and troubleshoot Rockwell Automation control systems, including ControlLogix/CompactLogix and FactoryTalk platforms. Support legacy PLC platforms where required.
- Apply industrial networking and communication technologies such as EtherNet/IP and other applicable industrial communication protocols to connect machines, controls, and manufacturing systems.
- Support machine data collection and integration between automation systems and higher-level manufacturing, historian, database, or MES systems where applicable.
- Apply appropriate OT cybersecurity principles when designing, modifying, connecting, and remotely supporting industrial control systems.
- Specify, integrate, and troubleshoot automation technologies such as VFDs, servo/motion control, sensors, instrumentation, machine vision, robotics, and automated material handling where applicable.
- Apply machine safety principles, including safety circuits, interlocks, guarding interfaces, safety PLCs, and risk-reduction requirements in equipment design and modification.
- Review and develop electrical schematics, control panel designs, I/O requirements, P&IDs, and equipment interface requirements.
- Serve as a key technical interface with machine manufacturers, automation suppliers, system integrators, and other external engineering resources.
- Develop equipment and automation specifications and participate in supplier selection, design reviews, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), installation, startup, and commissioning.
- Execute capital equipment projects and technology transfers to meet manufacturing requirements, including training and technical support for plant engineering, maintenance, and manufacturing personnel.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, quality, EHS, IT/OT, and business leadership to improve equipment performance, reliability, process capability, and productivity.
- Develop technical and business justification for automation and process improvement projects, including cost-benefit and risk analysis.
- Identify opportunities to standardize and replicate successful automation technologies and equipment solutions across manufacturing operations.
- Maintain awareness of developments in industrial automation, controls, robotics, machine vision, manufacturing data systems, and related technologies and help evaluate their application within the company.
- Prepare technical analyses, project updates, recommendations, and presentations for engineering, plant, and executive leadership.

Job Requirements

Required Education & Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 5 years of controls, automation, or manufacturing engineering experience, with significant hands-on responsibility for industrial automation systems.

Required Experience and Skills:

- Demonstrated experience designing, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and improving PLC/HMI-based manufacturing equipment.
- Strong experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, including Studio 5000/ControlLogix and FactoryTalk, or equivalent industrial control platforms.
- Experience commissioning automated equipment for small and large capital projects.
- Strong understanding of industrial electrical controls, electrical schematics, instrumentation, sensors, motors, VFDs, and related automation hardware.
- Experience with industrial communication networks and protocols used to connect PLCs, HMIs, drives, instrumentation, and manufacturing systems.
- Working knowledge of machine safety principles and applicable electrical/control standards, including relevant NEC, NFPA, NEMA, ISA, IEC, and IEEE requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electromechanical and automation problems using structured root-cause analysis.
- Experience developing technical specifications and working with machine builders, OEMs, and system integrators.
- Experience applying LEAN, Six Sigma, or other structured continuous-improvement methodologies in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to manage technical projects and effectively train and guide engineering, maintenance, and manufacturing personnel.
- Strong technical communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with plant personnel, cross-functional teams, suppliers, and leadership.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Preferred Experience and Skills:

- Experience with servo/motion control, machine vision, robotics, safety PLCs, automated material handling, and advanced sensing technologies.
- Experience integrating industrial equipment with databases, historians, MES, SCADA, or other manufacturing data systems.
- Knowledge of OT network architecture and industrial cybersecurity principles.
- Experience with AutoCAD/AutoCAD Electrical and SolidWorks or similar engineering design tools.
- Experience establishing controls standards, machine programming standards, documentation practices, and automation architectures across multiple machines or manufacturing sites.
- Experience with ceramic manufacturing or other advanced manufacturing processes is preferred but not required.
- Experience with equipment technology transfer, replication, and standardization across manufacturing locations.

Target Hiring Range
: USD 0.00 - USD 0.00

Actual compensation is commensurate with experience, skills and education. CoorsTek strives to give all qualified applicants equal opportunity and to make selection decisions on job related factors. Do not provide any information on the application which will indicate your race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

If you like working for a company that makes a real difference in the world, you'll enjoy your career with us!