Automation & Controls Specialist II

GAF; Newton (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GAF is seeking an Automation and Controls Specialist for their new shingle manufacturing facility in Newton, Kansas. This key role involves leading electrical projects and mentoring staff in a dynamic startup environment, offering candidates an opportunity for professional growth and skills development in a supportive company culture.

Benefits

Health Insurance Options

401K with Employer Match

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in industrial automation or 7+ years with a high school diploma.
• Proficient with frequency drives and PLC design.
• Capacity to travel extensively for training and operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical projects and troubleshooting.
• Mentor maintenance technicians and enhance preventive maintenance.
• Direct contractor work during installations.

Skills

Electrical Theory

PLC Programming

Instrumentation Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Industrial Automation

High School Diploma

Tools

Rockwell Automation Software

Allen Bradley PowerFlex Drives

HMI Development Tools

Job description

At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to grow and develop in your career. You will experience our incredible culture and will be empowered to support your teammates, your customers, and especially your community. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our deep well of experience and our responsibility to the future to drive improvements and innovation in our products. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.

About GAF - Newton, Kansas

Newton is a vibrant Kansas community founded in 1871 on a spirit of work, from its earliest days as a railroad, agriculture and cattle drive hub. With a population of about 20,000, Newton and neighboring North Newton features an active arts community, three National Historic Districts, a variety of museums, trails, restaurants, shops and attractions, Bethel College, award winning school districts, a championship golf course, first-class convention center and many other amenities. This collaborative region is close to dynamic Wichita and may be the next best place for you to call home, in GAF’s newest “Field of Dreams!”

New Plant, New Opportunities

If you haven’t been part of a greenfield startup, now is your chance. GAF is the North American leader in residential roofing materials. We are honored to be constructing our newest shingle manufacturing facility in Newton KS and hiring is underway as we build our initial plant leadership team. Due to our investment in training and the development of employees, you will have the opportunity to travel to our other locations, engage with peers, support the hiring of plant staff and participate in the design and construction of the facility. Expect your first years to be rewarding and challenging with an amazing team fully supporting you. You will wear many hats during the construction and commissioning phases of the project, and ease into your steady role over time.

Job Summary
The Automation and Controls Specialist role provides leadership and technical expertise in support of the safe and reliable operation of the manufacturing plant. Their primary focus will be on electrical projects dealing with controls, data acquisition, and other related issues. Responsibilities include troubleshooting control, instrument, and electrical problems that adversely affect the manufacturing process. In addition, it is expected that this individual will mentor a small team of maintenance E/I technicians and work with the planner on preventative maintenance programs to enhance reliability. The selected candidate will be skilled in the design, installation, and upkeep of PLC-based controls in an industrial continuous process environment.

Essential Duties

• Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Manage the design and installation of electrical/electronic equipment.
  • Plan and perform work requiring a thorough knowledge of electrical/electronic and mechanical theories and principles.
  • Partner with the maintenance planner to ensure electrical projects are properly scheduled on PMDs, and partner with the maintenance engineer to develop a good electrical/electronic preventative maintenance system
  • Perform design calculations and prepare equipment or material specifications for electrical and electronic PLC-based systems
  • Periodically investigate and make an analysis of electrical or electronic-based problems associated with the production operations and take the appropriate action to correct these problems
  • Assist and train maintenance, production, or other technicians as needed with technical or troubleshooting-related matters
  • Contribute to capital projects initiated by on-site engineering resources or the corporate Controls Team
  • Direct the work of outside contractors and maintenance staff during project installation
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications Required

• Associate’s Degree in industrial automation or a related field with 5+ years of experience OR a High School Diploma coupled with 7+ years of demonstrated experience in an industrial continuous process environment.
• Deep understanding of basic electrical theory.
• Knowledge of electrical/electromechanical devices
• Knowledge of different types of instrumentation and how to calibrate them: Pressure, temperature, flow.
• Proficiency with Rockwell Automation software - Studio 5000, RSLogix 500, FTView, CCW, and FTAC.
• Proficiency in configuring and troubleshooting Allen Bradley PowerFlex variable frequency drives
• Expertise focused on electrical components, electrical power distribution systems, PLCs, instrumentation, and variable speed AC drives
• HMI development experience - FTView and/or Wonderware
• Experience with maintaining production networks, including servers and managed switches
• Demonstrated process control experience in defining, designing, installing, and maintaining control logic systems and equipment in a continuous process manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated ability to use trending and other analytical tools to troubleshoot process issues.
• Effective communication skills.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future requirements for sponsorship of an employment-based visa status

• Ability to communicate, both written, and orally, in English is required

• Ability to meet extensive travel requirements in first 1-2 years for the opportunity to visit, learn your role and train on residential operations at existing GAF locations

• GAF is a tobacco and e-cigarette free facility

Qualifications Preferred

• Proficiency in configuring and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo drives
• Controls experience with a continuous web handling operation
• Experience with DC drives
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley safety PLCs, I/O, and STO hardware

How We Protect What Matters Most:

1. We offer a wide range of health insurance options that include medical, dental, and vision for you and your family. 2. Our Family-Building benefits support the many different journeys to fertility and parenthood. 3. Our robust 401K plan includes an employer match contribution with your pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. 4. Other exciting programs and perks are available to help employees achieve work-life balance, including (but not limited to) a wellness program, free financial coaching, a referral program, and product rebates when purchased for an employee’s primary residence. 5. Professional growth and development are very important to us! We offer internal training programs and courses, as well as a generous tuition reimbursement program. 6. We put diversity and inclusion into action with our Employee Resource Groups, which unite employees based on common perspectives, identities, demographic factors, or out of a desire to be an ally.

GAF complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.

We believe our employees are our greatest resource. We offer competitive salary, benefits, 401k, and vacation packages for all full time permanent positions. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and GAF, Standard Logistics, SGI, and Siplast are proud to be affirmative action employers. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. If applying for positions in the U.S., must be eligible to work in the U.S. without need for employer sponsored visa (work permit).