Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

ICU Medical - Salt Lake City, UT

Full-time - Senior

Salt Lake City, UT

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

The Senior Automation/Controls Engineer plays a pivotal leadership role in addressing complex engineering challenges, particularly in the realm of high-volume fully automated production machines. This position is based 100% onsite in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is classified as an exempt role under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The engineer will be responsible for providing innovative solutions that enhance machine performance, including upgrades, specifications, and outsourcing machine builds. A significant aspect of this role involves supporting business unit needs through effective data collection, scrap and MUV (Material Utilization Value) reduction, and improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and yield. In this role, the engineer will leverage extensive hands-on experience with various automation technologies, including machine design, fixture design, and CAM-driven machines. The position requires proficiency in working with pneumatic actuators, servos, stepper motors, EFD dispensing valves, vision systems, sensors, sonic welding, and pick-and-place mechanisms. Additionally, the engineer will be expected to have a strong background in PLC control systems, particularly Allen Bradley, as well as experience with electrical hardware, schematics, and wiring. Networking and automatic data acquisition are also critical components of the job. The Senior Automation/Controls Engineer will be tasked with determining machine requirements, evaluating needs, and translating them into feasible and economical equipment solutions. This includes reverse engineering, measuring and specifying tooling, and creating 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks. The engineer will also provide insights into the capabilities of key automation suppliers and manufacturers, ensuring that the best solutions are implemented. Experience with lean manufacturing principles, Six-Sigma methodology, and process validation support (IQ/OQ/PQ) is essential. The engineer will diagnose product nonconformance issues, manage corrective actions, and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. The role requires the formulation of detailed project plans, management of activities, and tracking of progress electronically, utilizing project and program planning tools and software packages.

Responsibilities

• Provide solutions to complex engineering problems related to automation and controls.
• Support business unit needs with respect to data collection, scrap and MUV reduction, OEE and yield improvements.
• Design and upgrade high volume fully automated production machines.
• Create machine specifications and outsource machine builds as necessary.
• Perform reverse engineering, measure and spec out tooling, and create 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks.
• Evaluate machine requirements and translate them into feasible and economical equipment solutions.
• Diagnose product nonconformance issues and provide feedback for CAPAs and customer complaints.
• Manage detailed project plans and track progress electronically.
• Communicate concepts, challenges, and project plans to all levels of the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• 7 years of experience in a related field.
• Extensive experience with high volume fully automated production machines.
• Hands-on experience with machine design, fixture design, CAM driven machines, pneumatic actuators, servos, stepper motors, EFD dispensing valves, vision systems, sensors, sonic welding, and pick-and-place mechanisms.
• Proficiency in PLC control systems, preferably Allen Bradley, and experience with electrical hardware, schematics, and wiring.
• Experience with networking and automatic data acquisition.
• Proficient in SolidWorks for creating 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles and Six-Sigma methodology.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with process validation support (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated business acumen and successful experience managing programs.