Senior PLC Engineer

Apperture Solutions; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)

Retirement plan

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Generous paid leave options

Paid company holidays

Job summary

Apperture Solutions is hiring an Automation Engineer based in Raleigh, NC. The role involves configuring PLC systems and SCADA solutions, requiring strong expertise in Factory Automation Systems. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience and a relevant engineering degree.

This hybrid position includes office and remote work, with benefits including ESOP participation and various insurance plans. Strong communication and team skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in Factory Automation and Controls.
• Experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry is preferred.
• Understanding of regulated and validated systems is required.

Responsibilities

• Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLCs.
• Support Factory and Site Acceptance Tests.
• Develop system documentation for continuous and batch process control.

Skills

PLC/HMI configuration

SCADA systems

Factory Automation Systems

Communication skills

Software development interest

Education

B.S. in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, Computer Science

Tools

Emerson VersaMax

Studio 5000 Logix Designer

MS Office

Job description

As a 100% Employee‑Owned company, Robert E. Mason & Associates, Inc. believes our Associates are the foundation of both our customers’ and our success. Our strong company culture and belief in continued investment in our Associates have helped us realize long Associate tenures, as well as long‑lasting relationships with our customers. Under the Robert E. Mason & Associates, Inc. umbrella there are two divisions: R.E. Mason and Apperture Solutions.

Apperture Solutions is a technology‑independent, professional consulting, and implementation services firm. Apperture Solutions offers Data Enablement, Production Optimization, Operations Management, and other value‑added services. Apperture Solutions partners with other providers to offer our customers the technologies and solutions that fit their needs.

What Apperture Solutions Offers Associates:

• Participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP)
• Retirement plan, including a Safe Harbor contribution
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer‑paid Life Insurance and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Generous paid leave options that include vacation time, sick leave, personal leave time, R.E. Mason Way Half Day, paid Jury Duty, and paid Bereavement Leave
• Paid company holidays
• Retirement and Financial Wellness program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Alternative/Hybrid Work Schedules

General Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated controls engineer to join our Factory Automation and PLC Services Team. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background in Factory Automation Systems and Controls, including PLC/HMI, Edge Device for IIoT/I4.0, and SCADA systems, with excellent technical skills to deliver high‑quality services to our clients. The successful candidate will be a significant contributor on our Project Execution Team. The Automation Engineer will work in the development, delivery, and commissioning of PLC‑based control systems and solutions for R.E. Mason’s industrial customers.

The Automation Engineer will have close interaction with the Project Technical Lead Engineer (“Tech Lead”) who will be managing the configuration development. The Tech Lead will provide coaching to the Automation Engineer to ensure the work adheres to technical standards and guidelines and is completed with the high level of quality expected by our customers.

The Automation Engineer will also provide aftermarket (“Lifecycle”) and staff augmentation support to customers. Typically, this includes maintaining and updating existing control strategies, implementing small‑scale expansion projects and assisting with process optimization projects.

Specific Responsibilities

• Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLCs used to control both OEM skids and custom process equipment
• Configure SCADA solutions and local Historians and configure integrations to 3rd‑party systems such as Emerson’s DeltaV DCS & OSI PI
• Develop system documentation which includes functional requirements specifications and detailed design specifications for a variety of continuous and batch process control applications
• Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and Site Acceptance Tests (SATs) and any start‑up and commissioning activities at customer sites
• Travel in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia – approximately 25%
• Develop scope and specification documentation for new station equipment installations, including control panels and station instrumentation
• Review vendor‑provided design packages for new control panels and/or instrumentation installations to ensure package meets design requirements
• Liaison with contractor for panel and equipment installations
• Migrate existing PLC programming to Emerson Rx3i, including configurations and logic files
• Perform GE iFIX control database modifications as needed
• Perform graphic development and modification from existing station graphics, including Emerson QP+ HMIs and GE iFIX, as needed
• Perform typical Power and Grounding checks and I & I
• Work with plant personnel and contractors to perform loop checks, final testing, and any necessary startup support
• Maintain station I/O lists and drawings during system checkout and commissioning
• Demonstrated interest in software development
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in team environment; a team player
• Self‑directed, self‑motivated, and detail oriented
• Organized and reliable; demonstrates integrity
• Valid driver’s license required
• This is a hybrid role requiring three days per week in the office and two days working from home.

Required Education and Experience

• B.S. in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or other related disciplines
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Experience in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• MS Office experience
• Experience using and configuring PLC control systems including Emerson VersaMax / PACSystems (formerly GE), Allen‑Bradley, and/or Siemens
• Experience using Studio 5000 Logix Designer and configuring HMIs and SCADA applications such as PanelView/Panel View Plus, WonderWare, Ignition, and Iconics
• Ability to configure 3rd‑party interfaces using OPC and FactoryTalk Gateway
• Understanding of regulated and validated systems
• Prior experience working in a relevant manufacturing environment
• Windows Server 2016/2019 and network troubleshooting skills

Physical Requirements

• Standing
• Walking
• Kneeling
• Reaching Overhead
• Climbing
• Pushing and Pulling
• Using a Computer
• Using a Telephone
• Driving

Apperture Solutions is a federal contractor and, as such, is required to solicit the disability status and protected veteran status of candidates. You are required to answer self‑identification questions as part of your application process. These questions are part of Apperture Solution’s affirmative action plan and the completion of these questions will not have any effect on any consideration of your application materials.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and need to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Apperture Solutions, please call our office at (704) 375‑4465.

This is a drug‑free workplace. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of any required pre‑employment and, if applicable, ongoing drug testing, including testing mandated by customer site access requirements.