Automation Controls Engineer - Siemens PLC/HMI

Zobility; Panama City (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Zobility is seeking an Automation Engineer to manage automation projects and serve as on-shift maintenance for maintenance and operations. The role covers hardware, software, and system improvements across PLCs, HMIs, networking, databases and documentation.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s in Electrical or Automated Manufacturing Engineering and 5+ years of automation experience, with strong Siemens PLC/HMI experience and proficiency in major automation software packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Automated Manufacturing Engineering required.
• 5+ years automation experience preferred in heavy industry.
• Experience with Siemens PLCs/HMI and automation software packages.

Responsibilities

• Maintain understanding of automation systems and performance.
• Deliver automation projects within budget and guidelines.
• Manage system resources, diagnostics, and process tuning.
• Modify and upgrade networking equipment and monitor activity.
• Back up and maintain databases and interface with applications.
• Provide operator training and root-cause analysis for automation.
• Develop documentation and support R&D activities.

Skills

Logic and problem solving

PLC programming

HMI development

System diagnostics

Project management

Communication

Electrical engineering

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or Automated Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLCs

HMI software

Automation software package

Microsoft Office

Job description

• The Automation Engineer is responsible for a variety of hardware engineering, software engineering and maintenance functions including: analyzing automation performance, evaluating necessary automation changes, managing the implementation of automation improvements and benchmarking automation performance.
• These functions are performed both as the manager of assigned automation projects, and as an on-shift maintenance resource for maintenance and operational departments.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a detailed understanding of all the different automation systems.
• Project Management: deliver Automation projects. Manage the specification, development, installation and validation of automation projects within budgetary and corporate guidelines.
• System Management: manage system resources / diagnostic systems, and monitor and tune application/system processes.
• Network Management: modify and upgrade networking equipment; monitor network activity; and analyze network and repair malfunctions.
• Database Management: maintain physical system backups of the automation process programs; monitor database performance; monitor connectivity to applications; and perform software additions or modifications to insure database accuracy.
• Hardware Management: perform time-critical maintenance; isolating and replacing defective field components; and diagnosing and correcting control malfunctions.
• Software Management: monitor applications for proper performance; back-up computer operating system and applications on various platforms; develop and evaluating various scripting languages.
• Interface Management: Plan, design, develop, implement and maintain HMI applications and visual diagnostic tools.
• Document Management: generate detailed, comprehensive and clearly understandable documentation associated with each of the automation systems as required.
• Support Operations: respond to Operator requests and problems; provide operator/maintenance training on new equipment, automation updates and control enhancements; generate reports; provide automation system root-cause analysis; and support research and development activities.
• Maintain an entrepreneurial approach in all aspects of the job. Identify sub-optimal practices and processes and suggest solutions for improvement. Identify opportunities and champion efforts to improve financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Maintain and enforce compliance with all company policies.

Skills and Abilities:

• Able to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Use active listening: giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Able to communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Speak clearly to others to effectively convey information.
• Able to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Able to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that makes sense.
• Able to identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Able to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Able to identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Demonstrate good judgement and decision making by considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Able to select and use training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
• Able to generate or adapt equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• Able to analyze needs and product requirements to create a design.

Requirements:

• Knowledge of design techniques, tools and principals involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings and models.
• Knowledge of practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics and their applications.
• Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Knowledge of raw materials, productions processes, quality control, costs and other techniques maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups.
• Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical structures and processes.
• Knowledge of electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. Proficient in computers, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with Siemens type PLCs / HMI's and software tools; strong experience with at least one major Automation software package.
• Proficiency with programmable logic controllers, electrical panel layout and design, working with bills of material, understanding electrical schematics and reading and P&ID drawings.
• Experience with industrial electronic, electrical and electro-mechanical systems.
• Experience with principles of hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automated Manufacturing Engineering or other related Engineering Degree.

Preferred:

• Five or more years of Automation experience in a heavy industrial setting.