Automation & Technology Senior Engineer (Control & Network)

The Hershey Company; Johor; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead automation projects at their Malaysia facility. This dynamic role involves managing capital projects for process control, overseeing installations, and providing critical support to enhance plant performance and reliability. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive initiatives to optimize processes and ensure compliance with industry standards. If you have a passion for engineering and a drive for innovation, this position offers a unique opportunity to impact operational excellence in a leading organization.

Qualifications

• Expertise in designing and implementing process control systems.
• Strong project management skills for capital projects.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for electrical installations.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects for plant automation and process control.
• Provide 24-hour breakdown support for process control systems.
• Mentor junior staff and enhance plant performance.

Skills

Process Control Engineering

Project Management

Technical Troubleshooting

Leadership

Negotiation Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

BS Degree in Electrical Engineering

8+ years in Process Control Engineering

3+ years in Confectionery/Food Industry

Tools

Rockwell PLCs

Siemens PLCs

HMI/SCADA Systems

FactoryTalk View

Wonderware

OPC Communication

Job description

Summary:
The Automation & Technology Senior Engineer (Control & Network) at our Malaysia factory will lead capital projects for plant automation, including process control upgrades, machine capacity expansions, and asset renewals. Responsibilities encompass cost estimation, design, and implementation of industrial control networks and Operational Technology systems, integrating manufacturing data with business systems, and managing project stakeholders. The role involves project management, overseeing installations, commissioning, and handovers, and collaborating with various engineering and business teams. The engineer, along with their direct report (Control Engineer), will provide 24-hour breakdown support for process control automation to all Business Unit and Utilities sections. Additionally, the engineer will mentor junior staff and collaborate with other engineers on projects from a process control perspective to ensure accuracy and quality. The position also requires supporting business units to enhance plant performance, machine reliability, and minimize losses.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Process Control Automation Project Management
   Drive and evaluate process control automation projects (Miscellaneous and Major Capex), through effective planning, organizing, and coordinating the project. This encompasses:

a) Conception, feasibility studies and project proposals,
b) Project paper preparation,
c) Joint responsibility with Capital Team on Business case development and justification,
d) URS creation, PR raising, equipment delivery follow-up,
e) FAT,
f) Site installation/setup and SAT,
g) Training of line technicians and maintenance personnel,
h) Punch list and handover.

Ensure effective communication with internal cross-functional teams and external US COEs/vendors for seamless project execution. Monitor project KPIs such as installation quality, cost, schedule, and resources, and provide visibility and clarity to management for prioritization and obstacle resolution.

1. Operational Supports – Breakdown & Optimization
   Collaborate with engineers/overseas vendors to manage 24-hour breakdown support for process control and automation in manufacturing lines. Pro-actively identify risks and opportunities in process control for production equipment, driving initiatives to enhance safety, product quality, machine reliability, and energy efficiency. Leverage OSI for condition monitoring, reduce labor dependency through process optimization, and achieve CI Saving targets. Conduct operational tests to ensure CCP set-up meets specifications, and re-design and improve processes through automation to boost production efficiency and quality.

1. Continue Development in Process Control Automation
   Continue to enhance the standards for Process Control development, for example: electrical cabling work standards, Electrical/Control URS, PLC modification workflow, etc. and ensure the implementation of standards. Establish connection with US COE to stay updated on the latest development/problem solutions related to process control development, Operational Technology related Industrial Control Network Architecture, and Security measures (firewalls, policies, etc.). Stay current on processing and packaging trends for potential application to Hershey Foods' products.

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

Develop and implement process control systems in the plant within commercialization timelines and budgets. Manage the capital projects, including selecting control systems and instrumentation, creating P&IDs and electrical drawings, and preparing bid specifications. Provide installation, commissioning, and start-up support, and deliver critical process control documentation to manufacturing processes. Train line technicians, line supervisors, QA, and maintenance personnel on equipment and control systems. Possess expertise in designing, specifying, installing, configuring, programming, and maintaining process control systems, including PLCs (Rockwell and Siemens), Motion Control Systems (Rockwell and Siemens), Process Instrumentation (temperature, pressure, level, flow, mass), Fieldbus Networks, Ethernet, Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) for Process Control (OPC), Kepware OPC, Microsoft Networking (TCP/IP), HMI/SCADA Systems (Rockwell, Siemens, Wonderware) as well as other state-of-the-art control components and systems. Understand Malaysia's regulatory requirements for electrical installations. Manage multidisciplinary teams to bring control systems from design to production, prioritize business objectives, develop solutions, and execute projects efficiently. Demonstrate strong negotiation, leadership, decision-making, and technical troubleshooting skills. Maintain good interpersonal and communication skills, adapt to change, and execute projects timely.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• BS Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology.
• 8+ years in the field of Process Control Engineering.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the Confectionery, Food, Consumer Goods and/or Pharmaceutical industry is preferred.
• Experience in leading the Process Controls Engineering portion of multiple projects is required.
• Experience with electrical elementaries, P&IDs, GMPs, process controls estimating, and process controls design are required.
• Expert knowledge of Rockwell and Siemens PLCs and Motion Control systems (hardware and logic), FactoryTalk View, RSView, FactoryTalk Asset Centre, Wonderware and OPC communication, HMI/SCADA systems - both from an applied and maintenance perspective.
• Expert Knowledge of Industrial Control Network Architecture and Security measures is essential.