Plc Controls Engineer

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Summary

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Designs systems of electrical and fluid controls for a variety of applications including welders, robots, assembly, conveyance and transfer systems.  Applies expert/expertise knowledge, principles and techniques in engineering and computer science to generate required hardware design schematics and develop software system programming and documentation. 

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This is a professional position, requiring resource management skills to direct and monitor tasks of others.  Must be capable of making autonomous decisions based on experience and project requirements.

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Has specialized training either formal or through on-the-job work experience.

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Has extensive technical knowledge gained through customer and project experience.

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Duties and Responsibilities - Hardware

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·         Understands customer specifications (corporate and plant), standards, and local and/or electric codes for use in designing hardware schematics.

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·         Constructs electrical and Fluid schematic packages by laying out I/O, designing magnetic circuits, fusing, control panel layouts, bills of material, and cable layouts. 

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·         Performs the required sizing calculation for power, heat dissipation, wire sizing, fusing, etc.

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·         Performs the required calculations for network layout and traffic analysis.

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·         Researches, develops and customizes new hardware and software interfaces.

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·         Coordinate and review with Technical Leaders, Automation Engineers, Sr. Controls Engineers, and colleagues to maintain consistency within a given project.

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·         Checks hardware schematics detail work of Entry Level Controls Engineers

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·         Works within the scope definition and timing (due date) requirements.

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Duties and Responsibilities - Software

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·         Understands customer specifications (corporate and plant) along with standards for use in designing software programs.

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·         Researches, develops and customizes new hardware and software interfaces.

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·         Modifies existing logic for ‘kit’ designs, and create logic utilizing existing references on simple to intermediate complexity systems.

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·         Must be capable of developing Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens and interface from scratch.

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·         Coordinate and review with Technical Leaders, Automation Engineers, Sr. Controls Engineers, and colleagues to maintain consistency within a given project.

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·         Checks Logic and HMI work of Entry Level Controls Engineers

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·         Works within the scope definition and timing (due date) requirements.

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Knowledge & Skills

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·         Computers — Knowledge of Windows, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) and a high degree of competence with AutoCAD / ePlan.  High degree of competence in HMIs along with Control and Safety PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemen’s, Modicon, Dynex etc.) and associated application software.

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·         Mathematics — Knowledge of basic arithmetic, base 2 (binary), base 16 (hexadecimal), base 8 (octal) and Real (floating point) numbering systems and their applications.  Knowledge of Word / Bit addressing schemes.  Knowledge of logical operators (i.e. AND, OR, NOT, XOR).

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·         Mechanical — Knowledge of machines, tools, and print reading. An understanding of mechanical systems, their components, and the relationship of those systems to the controls design.

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·         Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.  This includes the ability to curb or limit creativity when customer requirements and /or commonality of designs dictates.

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·         Writing - Ability to write technical documents and reports for use as reference by engineering and technical writers as well as documentation for the project.

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·         Reading — Ability to read, analyze, and interpret customer specifications, electrical controls schematics, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.

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·         Training — Ability to train and mentor other Controls Engineers.

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·         Systems Analysis — Determining how a system or process should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

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·         Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

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·         Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

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·         Programming — Writing computer programs for various purposes.

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Behavioral Competencies

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·         Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and directing resources on tasks for equipment design.

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·         Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

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·         Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

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·         Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting (field check) equipment in preparation for adding, removing, or modifying existing designs / equipment.

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·         Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

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·         Supervision — Capable of directing 5 or more individuals as required to accomplish projects assignments.  Also may be required to provide feedback to management in evaluations of these employees.

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Key Performance Indicators & Measures

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·         Meeting project schedules

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·         Cost variance

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·         Accuracy of project designs

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Qualifications (Education, Training, Certification, Licenses, Experience)

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·         Overall Experience — 5 years minimum previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience on projects in the Automotive sector (GM, Ford, FCA etc.) as well as Tier 1 suppliers (Dana, Magna, Tower etc.) is required for this position. Must master all competencies of Jr. and Mid-level Controls Engineers.

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·         Job Training — Employees in this occupation usually need training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. 

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·         Education — Bachelor’s degree in Electrical / Computer Engineering or Electronics Technology or a minimum of five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

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