Automation & Controls Engineer — Lean PLC & Process Improvement

kaisercareers; Spokane Valley (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Vacation

Paid leave

401K with match

Bonus program

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum's Trentwood facility seeks a Manufacturing Support Automation & Controls Engineer to lead and support flow team manufacturing excellence initiatives. The role focuses on controlling system design, PLC/HMI, and coordinating with vendors and operations to improve process capability and reduce waste.

You will develop project scopes, estimate costs, maintain documentation, and help foster lean thinking and right-first-time performance across the plant.

Qualifications

• 0-5 years electrical engineering experience.
• Experience with industrial PLC/HMI or distributed control systems.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong PC skills, including Windows, Word, and Excel.
• Excellent communication skills and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.

Responsibilities

• Validate and maintain control system design/architecture for new and existing equipment.
• Provide support for equipment start-ups and maintenance outages.
• Troubleshoot equipment control and electrical systems.
• Engineer support for maintenance resources during troubleshooting.
• Perform controlled process changes in PLC, HMI, and level 2 systems.
• Coordinate with vendors, process engineers, and production personnel for improvements.
• Develop project scope, feasibility, cost estimates, and schedule.
• Prepare and update project documentation.

Skills

PLC systems

HMI systems

Analytical skills

Teamwork

PC skills

Communication

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Computer Engineering (automation substitution)

ME Automation substitution

Tools

MAXIMO

CMMS software

Database tools

Python

Job description

Kaiser Aluminum's Trentwood facility seeks a Manufacturing Support Automation & Controls Engineer to lead and support flow team manufacturing excellence initiatives. The role focuses on controlling system design, PLC/HMI, and coordinating with vendors and operations to improve process capability and reduce waste.

You will develop project scopes, estimate costs, maintain documentation, and help foster lean thinking and right-first-time performance across the plant.