Automation Engineer

Aurubis AG; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Savings

Health Coverage

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Aurubis AG in Augusta, GA, seeks an Automation Engineer to ensure operability, reliability, and optimization of the plant’s automation and drives systems. You will focus on medium voltage drives, PLCs, instrumentation, and data management while collaborating with Maintenance, Reliability, and Production teams to maximize safety and efficiency.

The role requires hands-on troubleshooting, long-term reliability planning, and coordination with external vendors to keep automation systems aligned with

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 3–5 years of Instrumentation and Controls Engineering experience.
• Experience with medium voltage Rockwell Powerline 6000T, Siemens drives, soft starts, Simacode, TIA Portal, WinCC, Siemens PLC.

Responsibilities

• Oversee reliability and operability of plant automation and drive systems.
• Optimize automation programming and control strategies to meet production goals.
• Lead troubleshooting to minimize downtime of automation and drive systems.
• Develop long-term reliability strategies for automation and drive systems.
• Prepare specifications for new equipment installations and upgrades.
• Support MOC processes and ensure compliant implementations.
• Develop preventive and predictive maintenance programs and lifecycle management.
• Provide advanced technical support for automation troubleshooting.

Skills

Electrical knowledge

Instrumentation & Controls

Leadership

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Powerline 6000T

Siemens drives

Soft starters

Simacode

TIA Portal

WinCC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Aurubis – metallurgy is our passion. We are a leading global multi-metal company and one of the largest copper recyclers worldwide. We process complex metal concentrates, scrap metals, and metal-bearing recycling materials into metals of the highest purity. These metals serve as the basis for key megatrends such as digitalization, renewable energies, e-mobility, and urbanization. Aurubis has about 7,000 employees, production sites in Europe and the US, and an extensive worldwide distribution system. Join our team and promote progress together with us!

As the Automation / Drives Engineer, you will be responsible for operability, reliability and optimization of the plant’s automation and Drives systems, with an emphasis on Medium voltage drives but also PLC, including instrumentation, controls, and data management systems. You will work closely with the plant Maintenance, Reliability and Production teams to ensure that the automation / drives systems are delivering per design and optimized for long term reliability. You will leverage strong collaboration and communication skills to ensure systems are optimized for safety, efficiency, and reliability.

Automation Engineer

Your Tasks

• Oversee the reliability, operability, and overall health of plant automation and drive systems.
• Optimize automation programming and control strategies to meet production, quality, and operational performance objectives.
• Lead troubleshooting and resolution of critical automation and drive system failures to minimize downtime.
• Develop and implement long-term reliability strategies for automation and drive systems.
• Prepare technical specifications for new equipment installations, upgrades, and modernization projects.
• Support all Automation and Drives Management of Change (MOC) processes, ensuring compliance and successful implementation.
• Develop and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs, including spare parts and lifecycle management strategies.
• Provide advanced technical support for automation- and drive-related troubleshooting across the facility.
• Lead the technical development and training of maintenance craft personnel in automation and drive systems.
• Manage external engineering consultants and contractors as required to support automation and capital projects.
• Collaborate with equipment manufacturers and technical vendors to optimize system performance, reliability, and spare parts strategies.
• Partner with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and other stakeholders to ensure automation systems support operational and business objectives.
• Maintain and oversee automation system documentation, standards, and technical records to support maintenance and operator training.
• Monitor automation system performance, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and implement corrective actions.
• Support commissioning, startup, and validation activities for new and modified automation systems, ensuring successful project execution.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to improve equipment reliability, system availability, and overall plant performance.

Your Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in Instrumentation and Controls Engineering.
• Preferred Experience with Medium voltage Rockwell Powerline 6000T, Siemens drives, soft starts, Simacode, TIA Portal, WinCC, Siemens PLC
• Experience with OT/IT interface, OSI PI system.
• Experience with Server-Client architecture industrial communication Profinet, Modbus, OPCUA, etc.
• Experience with automation software and hardware systems, such as PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to manage and motivate teams effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Ability to perform in a cross-cultural setting.
• Highly organized with strong attention to details and technicalities.
• Strong critical and analytical thinking and quantitative skills.
• Comfort with a fast-paced, quickly changing environment.
• Must be willing and physically able to observe and walk in a smelter environment.
• Must be willing and physically able to work in varying cold and heat situations.
• Could have times that are prolonged periods of walking, standing, and bending.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.
• Ability to travel throughout the facility as required to conduct audits and make observations.
• Must wear all required PPE when in protected areas.
• Required to reach and grasp with hands and reach with arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Willing and physically able to travel domestically and/or internationally if requested.

We Offer

Competitive Retirement Savings – 401(k) plan with generous company match to help you plan for the future

Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, and vision plans with company cost sharing to support you and your family, starting you first day of employment.

Income Protection – Company-paid disability insurance for added peace of mind

Generous Paid Time Off – Robust PTO package including vacation and 13 paid holidays.

Interested?

What does Aurubis stand for? Take a look here!

Aurubis is an employer that stands for diversity and equal opportunity. Employment decisions are made regardless of national or ethnic origin, religion and belief, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental and physical impairment and social origin or any other legally protected characteristics of an individual.