Controls Engineer

First Quality; State College (Centre County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Paid time off

Medical, dental and vision

401(k) with employer match

Paid parental leave

Dependent care FSA with employer match

Tuition assistance

Wellness program

Job summary

First Quality in McElhattan, PA is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to design, implement, and upgrade complex production controls and software. You will mentor Apprentices and Engineers, specify DCS/PLC/HMI components, and drive improvements that impact plant performance.

You will work with internal teams and OEMs to solve problems, develop data collection, and uphold safety standards while advancing manufacturing technology and process reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, Robotics or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Able to create and modify schematic drawings using AutoCAD software.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience with Industrial Controls Systems.
• Advanced knowledge of electrical theory and PLC-based hardware and software (Rockwell and Siemens), servo control, and HMI.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred; root cause analysis experience desired.
• Excellent communication, troubleshooting, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance and production to design, install, commission and start up new equipment and controls.
• Specify and design DCS/PLC/HMI components, servo systems, motors, drives and data collection systems.
• Evaluate electrical equipment and recommend optimal solutions.
• Modify PLC/DCS and servo logic to improve equipment and system performance.
• Troubleshoot complex problems and lead others in problem solving.
• Develop machine data collection with MES team and lead small capital projects.

Skills

Electrical theory

PLC programming

AutoCAD

Schematic drawing

Mechatronics

Safety training

Rockwell/Siemens PLC

HMI development

Education

B.S. in Electro-Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics/Automation

Tools

AutoCAD

DCS/PLC hardware

HMI software

Job description

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer for our First Quality Products facility located in McElhattan, PA.

This position will design, implement, and upgrade complex controls systems and software programming on production equipment and associated machinery. It will provide mentorship and assist Controls Engineers and Technicians in solving complex problems and will have a direct link to plant performance results through machine improvements and engineering-based upkeep.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Collaborates with internal Engineering Teams, Maintenance and Production personnel, OEMs, vendors, and contractors to design, install, commission, and start up new equipment and process controls. This includes electrical and controls component selection and approval, electrical design approval, software assessments & modifications, machine acceptance testing and problem identification and resolution.
• Responsible for specifying and/or designing DCS’s, PLC’s, HMI’s, servo systems, motors, drives, sensors, vision sensors, and data collection systems based on the FQ controls standards criteria.
• Evaluates electrical equipment from multiple sources and recommends the best solution for use.
• Assesses, designs, and makes complex program modifications in DCS’s, PLC logic, HMI programs and servo controller logic to improve individual equipment and overall system performance.
• Performs high level troubleshooting, in-depth critical thinking, and utilizes all internal & external resources to solve any electrical, mechanical, or process problem. Leads & assists others in troubleshooting equipment, controls components and control programs
• Works with internal MES team to develop and maintain machine data collection within the business.
• Leads small capital projects.
• Keeps abreast of new controls technologies, industry trends, health and safety regulations and standards that affect current operations.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to increase production operation performance. Initiates, leads, and oversees improvement projects through completion.
• Provides technical and operation training to Controls team, Production, Warehouse, and other personnel as needed. Shares knowledge and techniques with team members and coordinates the training of personnel to enhance troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency with peers and operations personnel to maintain focused actions.
• Drives a zero-loss time mentality with team through continuous improvement practices. Keeping safety as the priority when making decisions.
• Provides direction and assistance as necessary for off shift/afterhours support.
• Collaborates with Maintenance, Process Engineering, Project Engineering, and Operations to define design requirements, design improvements, and install machinery and upgrades.
• Verifies communication of machine and process changes to all affected team members.
• Supports team with all key initiatives, special projects and provides exceptional customer service.
• Participates, facilitates, and leads communication in group settings and/or meetings.

Education and experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in the following degrees or related degrees: Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering.
• Able to create and modify schematic drawings using AutoCAD software.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience with Industrial Controls Systems.
• Advanced knowledge of electrical theory and principles of operation.
• Advanced knowledge of PLC based hardware and software (Rockwell and Siemens), Servo Control, and HMI.
• Knowledge of Mechanical, Pneumatic, and Hydraulic systems
• Formal Training in Functional Machine Safety and proper safe machine design through Safety Risk Assessment.
• Knowledge or formal training in Security in Automation (ISO 62443).
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (preferred but not required).
• Root Cause Analysis Experience (preferred but not required).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, computer skills, reasoning, and mathematical skills.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong experience with Microsoft Office (specifically Outlook & Excel).
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities
• Paid time off (three-week minimum)
• Medical, dental and vision starting day one
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid parental leave
• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)
• Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums
• ...and more!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.