Automation Engineer

SUMMARY: The Automation Engineer I is responsible for meeting stringent timelines, budgets, and technical goals of engineering projects in a manufacturing environment. The Automation Engineer I will be required to leverage a strong program management skillset developed through experience leading successful engineering projects. Projects may involve new equipment or capital projects, new production line development, new technology introduction, or continuous improvement. Commitment to and support of the Company Core Values are key to success in this position.

The Automation Engineer I is responsible for the project management of mechanical systems, as well as electrical and controls functions, of new and retrofitted processes and equipment, including specification development and programming of PLCs, robots, and servos. This position will also focus on the integration of systems and equipment - design and configuration, documentation, and commissioning. This position may serve as a lead or in a technical review capacity depending upon the project.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform as a key member of cross-functional teams in support of new customer requirements, continuous improvement efforts, and expanded product offerings

• Implement engineering solutions to solve manufacturing challenges, customer requirements, and product quality improvements from concept to commissioning

• Design mechanical systems for new, or modify existing, automated machinery to automate

manufacturing processes

• Design and specify electrical components for custom automated industrial machines

• Coordinate with other engineers and manufacturing and assembly to ensure design intent and cost

effectiveness of production is achieved

• Manage individual project budgets and schedules and routinely report progress

• Travel (as needed) to vendor sites for design reviews, research, installation, and troubleshooting

• Ability to accept design feedback and improvement suggestions and brainstorm with others

• Develop machine and manning timing plans for new production equipment /processes

• Work with vendors and suppliers to identify production equipment solutions and industry trends that create higher levels of production efficiency and competitiveness in the specialty can market segment

• Select, purchase, approve, and successfully commission new equipment based on requirements and specifications; both specifically stated and individually identified

• Work with OEM or contractors on programming, FAT/SAT, start up and debugging

• Coordinate with all relevant business functions for new equipment or process approval

• Interact regularly with production equipment and operations personnel

• Prepares mechanical, electrical, and tool drawings using AutoCAD and Inventor; from concepts provided by multiple information sources

• Lead or technical review of SCADA systems

• Program new PLC/HMI devices as well as maintain and update existing PLC/HMI systems

• Assists with other departments as assigned to address and resolve engineering related issues

• Assists in maintaining Engineering file systems and databases by updating and revising accurate and error- free information. This includes but is not limited to drawing files, drawing databases, ECR, and packaging files

• Follow Company personnel and product safety requirements including standards such as those from SQF and internal GMPs

• Other duties as required by leadership

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to complete each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Successful accomplishment of duties and responsibilities requires the following:

• Ability to interact and cooperate with all levels of employees and departments

• General understanding of Drafting standards and methodologies

• Working knowledge of tolerances and material finishes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate

with foreign contacts

• Ability to adapt and excel in a fast paced and frequently changing work environment based on customer requirements and production demands.

• Creativity and curiosity in looking at challenges and opportunities from new perspectives

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated through supplier and customer interactions

• BS in ME, IE, EE, Automation, or Related Field or equivalent experience

• Minimum of 2 years of automation & integration experience

• Expert Knowledge in 3D CAD software

• Demonstrated knowledge of SCADA systems

• Experience in PLC Programming

• Experience in HMI Programming

• Ability to coordinate with outside suppliers

• Mechanically inclined, strong problem-solving skills, hands-on individual

ADDITIONAL SKILLS DESIRED

• Expertise in Solidworks

• Experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC programming

• Machine shop knowledge

• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and ergonomic principles

• Familiar with 6-Axis robot programming

• Familiar with machine vision system principles

• Familiar with OEE and Predictive Maintenance data acquisition and analysis

ALIGNMENT WITH COMPANY CORE VALUES: To be successful within Independent Can Company the employee's

value system must agree with the Company's value system.

• Fair: Showing equality and consistency in decision making while being respectful of others; not arbitrary.

• Sense of Urgency: Exhibiting a willingness & ability to adapt to changing situations. Recognizing that our ability to make changes quickly is a competitive advantage.

• Market, Customer, & Improvement Driven: Accepting that is the customer's requirements that dictate

what we do and not getting better at our performance is not an option.

• Dedicated: Being committed to safely doing whatever it takes to get the job done well.

• Responsible: Accepting accountability for one's actions and results; not making excuses.

• Teamwork: Commonality of goals, unity of thought and action; recognizing that a team is stronger than the sum of the individual parts.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: B.S. Degree in an Engineering discipline from an ABET accredited College or 2-5 years of professional experience in an automation engineering role.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly is required to; use hands, use fingers, handle, feel, reach with hands and arms, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vibrations. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

NOTE: This job description identifies the general nature and scope of work to be performed. Independent Can reserves the right to revise all or any part of this job description and to add or eliminate essential job functions at any time. Designation of any job duty as an essential function is not intended as an assurance or guarantee that a team member has any right to perform the job duty, except as required by Independent Can. This job description is subject to change based on the needs of the position and/or the Company.