Automation and Controls Engineer_Engineering

ECORE•Lancaster, PA

26d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Automation & Controls Engineer has F&I responsibility for keeping existing machinery up to date per Ecore’s Obsolescence Mitigation Plan. This involves management of existing sensors, drives and other critical electrical components along with programming updates and changes to all PLC’s & HMI’s. The role involves leading and maintaining Ecore’s Machine Obsolescence Mitigation Plan to ensure reliability, system robustness, and maintainability through control system improvements. This includes maintaining, troubleshooting, and supporting existing electrical and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, drives, sensors, and safety systems. The engineer will diagnose and resolve control system failures to minimize downtime and ensure safe, reliable operation of manufacturing equipment, and support preventive and predictive maintenance activities by identifying control system risks, obsolete components, and failure trends. Maintaining accurate electrical schematics, panel layouts, control narratives, and system documentation is crucial. The role also involves training Maintenance Technicians and Operators on system updates and changes, modifying, enhancing, and developing PLC, HMI, and motion control programs, and supporting commissioning and startup of new equipment, retrofits, or process changes. Identifying and implementing upgrades to PLC hardware, software, and network architecture, performing root cause analysis on recurring electrical and controls-related failures, and standardizing controls hardware, software structures, and programming practices are key responsibilities. Collaboration with maintenance, engineering, operations, Quality, and IT teams to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) is expected. The engineer will serve as a technical resource, coordinate with OEMs and vendors, and participate in capital project planning. Improving real-time visibility of equipment status through HMIs and dashboards, leading automation projects, and providing technical leadership to maintenance teams are also part of the role. Staying updated on the latest automation technologies and standards is essential.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related technical field.
5+ years of experience in automation, electrical engineering, or mechatronics within a manufacturing or industrial environment
Proficiency with Allen-Bradley, ABB, Siemens and Yaskawa
Proficiency in AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Proficiency with C++, Python and Visual Basic to allow the design, development, and implementation of various software applications using these languages across different domains.
Knowledge of network topology
Manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
Communicate effectively (write, speak) with supervisors and others on performance and safety concerns.
Adequate hearing ability to receive work instruction and to respond to changes in work environment.
Attention to detail to complete work assignments.
Time management to comply with scheduled work time and maintain productivity requirements.
Ability to understand and abide by safety policies and maintain a safe work environment.
Ability to move throughout the work location to comply with safety requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience writing API’s preferred
NEC (NFPA 70) certification preferred
CAP (ISA) certification preferred
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to influence and lead cross-functional teams
Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills, with experience in using automation software and statistical tools

Responsibilities

Lead and maintain Ecore’s Machine Obsolescence Mitigation Plan to ensure reliability, system robustness, and maintainability through control system improvements.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and support existing electrical and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, drives, sensors, and safety systems.
Diagnose and resolve control system failures to minimize downtime and ensure safe, reliable operation of manufacturing equipment.
Support preventive and predictive maintenance activities by identifying control system risks, obsolete components, and failure trends.
Maintain accurate electrical schematics, panel layouts, control narratives, and system documentation.
Train Maintenance Technicians and Operators on system updates and changes to ensure compliance with applicable electrical codes, safety standards, and company engineering practices (e.g., NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA).
Modify, enhance, and develop PLC, HMI, and motion control programs to support process improvements and new operational requirements.
Support commissioning and startup of new equipment, retrofits, or process changes.
Identify and implement upgrades to PLC hardware, software, and network architecture to improve system stability and longevity.
Perform root cause analysis (RCA) on recurring electrical and controls-related failures and implement corrective actions.
Standardize controls hardware, software structures, and programming practices across equipment and production areas.
Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, operations, Quality, and IT teams to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Serve as a technical resource for electrical and controls-related questions and projects.
Coordinate with OEMs and vendors for troubleshooting, upgrades, and system support.
Participate in capital project planning, equipment specification reviews, and design evaluations.
Improve real-time visibility of equipment status, alarms, faults, and performance metrics through HMI’s and dashboards.
Lead automation projects, including the design, installation, and modification of systems.
Provide technical leadership and guidance to maintenance teams, ensuring best practices in reliability and maintenance engineering are applied consistently.
Stay updated on the latest automation technologies, and standards, and integrate them into the organization's practices.
Design, create, update & maintain equipment electrical schematics
Configuration and programming of VFDs, PLCs and HMIs as needed
Standardize and document solutions across all Ecore sites
Implement and maintain Ecore’s equipment monitoring systems to ensure the stability and reliability of automated processes, proactively addressing any issues that may arise.