Controls Engineer

AST; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical (HSA & PPO)

Dental

Vision

Long/Short term disability

HSA employer contribution

401(K) with up to 5% match

Education Assistance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holiday

Bonus potential

Job summary

AST, based in Tacoma, WA, seeks a controls engineer to design, develop, implement, and maintain automated pharmaceutical fill-finish equipment and related digital services. You will create control systems, software, and documentation for complex automation projects.

The role involves collaborating with peers and vendors, performing testing, and supporting installation and startup at customer sites. A Bachelor’s in electrical engineering and PLC/HMI expertise are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accredited electrical engineering or equivalent experience.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, industrial communications, smart machines, and machine vision.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%.
• Knowledge of machine control system design and testing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems for complex automated systems using PLCs, robotics, HMIs, vision systems, and other technologies.
• Develop software, schematics, control systems for machine automation and digital products/services.
• Lead product design from concept to market and collaborate with vendors and platforms.
• Assist installation, startup, and acceptance testing at customer sites.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI design

Automation hardware

Robotics

AI / machine learning

Electrical acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC Platform

AutoCAD

MS Office

Job description

At AST, we enhance the efficiency, productivity, and safety of flexible aseptic manufacturing processes for the worldwide Life Science Industry by offering innovative products, services, and solutions.

Do you want to contribute to a shared vision and mission? Would you like to bring your unique talents to have a significant impact at a growing company? At AST we strive to build a workplace that enables every team member to meet and exceed their capabilities. We set our expectations high and provide the environment and resources necessary to bring out the very best. AST is proud of our team. Providing challenging and rewarding work, with opportunities for personal/professional development is our key to this longevity. AST is an equal opportunity employer.

Compensation for onsite WA applicants is $80,000-$120,000 annually. All applicants are welcome to apply.

Employee benefits include:

• Medical (HSA & PPO)
• Dental
• Vision
• Long/Short term disability
• HSA account with employer contribution
• 401(K) (Traditional & Roth options) with up to 5% company match
• Education Assistance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holiday
• bonus potential

What will I be doing?

As a controls engineer at AST, you design, develop, implement, and maintain complex automated pharmaceutical fill-finish equipment and digital services and products.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop control systems for complex automated systems using programmable logic controllers (PLC), robotic systems, human machine interface (HMI) platforms, vision systems, and other advanced technologies.
• Develop complex software, schematics, control systems, and smart technologies for machine automation, digital products and services.
• Take design of products from conceptual phase to practical solution, to market.
• Work closely with peers, vendors and technology platforms to provide controls and technological solutions.
• Perform testing, evaluation, and reporting on new products and systems.
• Write operations and maintenance manuals and other technical documents.
• Participate in the installation, startup, and acceptance testing of equipment at customer sites
• Maintain technical records, test results, and documentation in support of design and/or performance history.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accredited electrical engineering or engineering curriculum, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with common industrial programming languages, HMI designs, industrial communications, smart machine, AI/machine learning, machine automation hardware/software, advanced sensory systems including machine vision.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15%, determined by company need.
• Understand industrial machinery specifications and standards.
• Knowledge of machine control system design and the testing environment with a strong electrical acumen.
• Skilled with computer software - Allen-Bradley PLC Platform, AutoCAD, MS Office (Word, -Excel, PowerPoint).
• A collaborative team player who plays well with others, interdepartmentally and cross functionally to achieve company goals.
• A strategic thinker who enjoys innovation and problem solving and goes above and beyond to identify root causes.
• Self-motivated, energetic, and disciplined, with keen attention to detail.
• Character that complements AST's long-standing culture of high integrity throughout all areas of internal and external business activity.
• Senior roles may include more lead responsibilities.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be willing to take and successfully pass a drug test.

AST is proud of our team. Providing challenging and rewarding work, with opportunities for personal/professional development is our key to this longevity. AST is an equal opportunity employer.

This is a full-time position based in Tacoma. Compensation is competitive, including salary, bonus potential, health plan options, competitive 401K match, and paid time off.