Automation & Controls Engineer - Manufacturing Support

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

REPORTS TO: Process Improvement Engineering Manager

FLSA STATUS: Salaried -Exempt

SUPERVISES:None

Benefits

• Salary range $70,000 to $125,000 commensurate with experience
• High deductible medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, including spouse and children (modest payroll deductions)
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Vacation (3 weeks starting out)
• Supplemental leave (used in conjunction with Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave)
• 401K with matching company funds
• Quarterly bonus structure
• Tuition reimbursement

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Manufacturing Support Automation & Controls Engineer reports to the Process Improvement Engineering Manager This position supports/leads flow team directed Manufacturing Excellence activities being conducted at the Trentwood facilities. This position works with facilitators, engineers, manufacturing leaders, craft personnel and operators, as needed with the goal of improving process capability, lowering manufacturing cost, increasing reliability and reducing waste in the operation.

The successful Manufacturing Support Engineer will:

• Validate and maintain control system design/architecture for new and existing equipment.
• Provide support and coordination for equipment start-ups and maintenance outages.
• Assist in trouble-shooting equipment control and electrical systems.
• Provide engineering support for the maintenance and operations resources during troubleshooting and RCA activities.
• Perform controlled process improvement changes in PLC systems, HMI systems, and in level 2 server and coordination systems.
• Coordinate with vendors, process engineers, and production personnel for continuous improvement.
• Develop project scope, feasibility, cost estimates, and schedule, for assigned projects.
• Prepare, organize, and update project documentation (Manuals, PM's spare parts, correspondence, drawings, drawing lists, material listings, etc.)
• Help support and develop a culture at Kaiser Trentwood that promotes lean thinking and right first time for all work performed.
• Collaborates with the operational team to develop and report performance metrics against targets to determine gaps in performance and recommends/executes improvement initiatives.
• Advise the team on improvement opportunities through requirements gathering, data extraction/transformation, organized analysis and effective visualization of information.
• Drive process consistency through standard work, process control, right first time, and management of change.
• Comply with all safety, quality and environmental regulations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Approximately 50% of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. 50% of the job function is in the plant. There is exposure to operating machinery and a manufacturing environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This position requires performing tasks on a computer.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and climb or balance. There will be periods of walking and standing. The employee must talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to reach with arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• 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.

EDUCATION

• An undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering.
• A degree in Computer Engineering combined with industrial experience may substitute for the Electrical Engineering degree.
• An undergraduate degree in ME Automation with sufficient coursework in automation/robotics may also substitute.

EXPERIENCE

This individual will possess:

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

The preferred candidate will have knowledge and experience with:

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in the maintenance department of a heavy industrial facility.
• Familiarity with database tools and techniques.
• Programming experience. (Python preferred)
• Familiarity with CMMS software (MAXIMO preferred).
• Knowledge of National Electrical Code, AC & DC motors

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

This individual will:

• Be energetic, disciplined and focused on a team building operational organization.
• Have well developed interpersonal and business partnering skills, with the ability to quickly adapt to, be accepted by, and interrelate with the organization at all levels.
• Be willing to work flexible hours.
• Be self-motivated, self-learning, and willing to educate themselves and others in a changing environment.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Refer to training matrix on file with Quality Department.

PERFORMANCE FACTORS

• Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious about assignments.
• Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
• Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

This position has been determined to be a safety-sensitive position and requires a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen that includesmarijuana.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclusive culture.