Automation Engineer

Saint-Gobain - Blue Diamond, NV

Full-time

Blue Diamond, NV

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

About the position

The Automation Engineer will assist with the development and implementation of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) projects, production, processing methods, and controls in a manner consistent with CertainTeed Gypsum Vision, Mission, Values, and Objectives (VMVO). This role is pivotal in ensuring that processes are centered, capable, and in control, while also focusing on reducing process variations and resolving special causes of variation. The Automation Engineer will report directly to the Engineering Manager and will be responsible for planning, evaluating, organizing, and implementing automation-related projects and initiatives. Key responsibilities include designing or developing new process control systems and revising or maintaining existing processes. The engineer will develop and implement WCM projects, manage and guide contractors, consultants, and suppliers, and identify new opportunities and solutions through cost/benefit analysis. This position also requires managing equipment and labor costs within the department's budget, providing input into planning and scheduling of projects, and preparing capital expenditures. The Automation Engineer will interact with managers and supervisors at both plant and corporate levels to secure appropriate resources for planning and implementing controls projects. They will work closely with Production and Engineering Managers to coordinate changes in the production process and resolve equipment malfunctions. Additionally, the engineer will manage automation-related projects and provide weekly status reports to plant management, participate in Focus Improvement teams to resolve critical process and production problems, and develop and maintain PLC/HMI systems from the plant floor to management and financial levels. Technical support and enhancement of automation-related systems, including PLC, HMI, VFD, instrumentation, data and voice networks, and plant electrical distribution systems, will also be part of the role. The engineer will assist the maintenance team with troubleshooting issues, use advanced tools and techniques to reduce process variations and downtime, and analyze operating problems to develop solutions and lead the implementation of corrective actions. Furthermore, they will collect, interpret, and extrapolate data from the production process to monitor equipment performance against established baselines and apply appropriate corrective actions. The role also involves developing and maintaining standard operating procedures and work instructions, ensuring full documentation of all projects and systems to WCM/Early Equipment Management (EEM) standards, and providing training for operators and maintenance personnel.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the development and implementation of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) projects.
• Plan, evaluate, organize, and implement automation-related projects and initiatives.
• Design or develop new process control systems and revise/maintain existing processes.
• Develop and implement WCM projects and manage contractors, consultants, and suppliers.
• Identify new opportunities and solutions with cost/benefit analysis and make recommendations to improve efficiencies.
• Manage equipment and labor costs within the department's budget.
• Provide input into planning and scheduling of projects and prepare capital expenditures.
• Interact with managers and supervisors at plant and corporate personnel to secure appropriate resources for controls projects.
• Work closely with Production and Engineering Managers to coordinate changes in the production process and resolve equipment malfunctions.
• Manage automation-related projects and provide weekly status reports to plant management.
• Participate in Focus Improvement teams to resolve critical process and production problems.
• Develop and maintain PLC/HMI systems from the plant floor to management and financial levels.
• Provide technical support and enhancement of automation-related systems.
• Assist maintenance team with troubleshooting issues.
• Use advanced tools/techniques to reduce process variations and downtime.
• Analyze operating problems, develop solutions, and lead the implementation of corrective actions.
• Collect, interpret, and extrapolate data from the production process to monitor equipment performance.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and work instructions.
• Ensure full documentation of all projects and systems to WCM/Early Equipment Management (EEM) standards.
• Prepare and maintain data sheets, wiring, and Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID).
• Provide training for operators and maintenance personnel.
• Assure good housekeeping practices following 5S systems and enforce plant rules and safety regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering or similar discipline or equivalent experience.
• Three to five (3-5) years of applied professional experience in Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) / PLC.
• Previous experience in electrical process control, instrumentation, automation, industrial protocols/networking, and databases.
• Understanding of integrated automation and information systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Understanding of National Electrical Code (NEC) and Arc-Flash (NFPA-70E) code requirements.
• Flexible, open-minded team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving capabilities to work effectively in corporate, manufacturing, and team environments.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.