Associate Automation Engineer

$70,000 - $85,000/Yr

CalPortland - Tucson, AZ

Full-time - Entry Level

Tucson, AZ

Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Associate Automation Engineer is responsible for maintaining, designing, troubleshooting, optimizing, and improving the plant automation control systems essential for plant operations. This role operates under the general direction of the Production Superintendent and focuses on enhancing manufacturing processes through automation and control system management.

Responsibilities

• Install and maintain process control hardware and related software
• Continuously explore opportunities to automate the manufacturing process by working closely with plant personnel and develop logic to enhance plant performance and process flow
• Responsible for the improvement of the plant digital control system while maintaining current knowledge of emerging process control technologies
• Program complete control systems for crushers, mills, kilns, and other equipment
• Open to learning multiple control systems
• Interpret logic and control from older systems to reprogram into newer systems
• Maintain knowledge related to potential software bugs, upgrades, patches, etc. and communicate recommended improvements, gain approvals for changes prior to implementation
• Responsible for process control software reliability, security, and compatibility with relevant plant systems while ensuring networks and communications integrity
• Assist in preparation of cost estimates for capital projects, proposals for capital investment; assist in the development of capital budgets and prioritization
• Develop start-up procedures, equipment specifications, and assist with commissioning of new installations to include training assistance
• Ensure control room operators are up to date on new software
• Improve the quality and clarity of information provided to control room operators, employees, and management
• Use electrical drawings, schematics, flowcharts, computer code, and logic code to accomplish job responsibilities
• Administratively and technically assist with analytical systems throughout the plant
• Must comply with company safety rules/regulations and wear proper safety equipment/personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter, and make decisions as appropriate while managing conflicting demands

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering, or Computer Science with PLC Experience preferred
• Must have two years of related college, technical school, or 5+ years of related field experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Computer knowledge should include basic operating systems software (Win XP/7, NT workstations, servers, and MS Office)
• Knowledgeable in computer maintenance, and PLC's (Siemens S-7Pro PLC with Simatic Manager software, GE and AB with associated software knowledge in RSLogix 5000, ControlLogix, or Allen Bradley Control Logix and Studio 5000 preferred
• Must be knowledgeable in electronics, process control and automation, and functions of the cement manufacturing process
• Understand analog, and digital signals; assist with maintenance and calibration
• Must be able to read blueprints, engineering drawings, schematics, and drawings
• Leadership and interpersonal skills to facilitate positive working relationships with all levels of management and staff
• Strong written/verbal communication, analytical, and computer skills
• High standards of safety, performance, and production
• Availability to work remotely when issues arise to assist with troubleshooting and program changes
• Ability to see and hear safety indicators and warnings
• Must be able to walk long distances (up to 300 yards), on all types of surfaces (uneven and /or slippery ground)
• Physically able to climb on equipment to provide supervision while work is being performed
• Must be able to stoop, crawl under and into enclosed spaces, use man-elevators, and climb ladders, stairs, and/or stockpiles as high as 400 feet in elevation
• Must be able to drive an automobile to various work locations
• Must be able to occasionally travel overnight (air/auto) as required

Nice-to-haves

• Working knowledge of SAP Production
• Experience working with a union contract
• Understanding of California state labor laws related to wage and hour
• Experience working in a manufacturing or cement facility
• Experience with FLSmidth Expert Control System, HMI, and programming.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Employer Paid & Voluntary Life Insurance
• 401(k) Employer Match AND Annual Profit-Sharing Contributions
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time & Holidays
• Employer Paid Disability Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• PPE Provided