Automation Engineer

Lhoist • Peach Springs, AZ

9d

About The Position

The Automation Engineer develops, maintains, and supports process networks and control systems at Lhoist’s Apex mining and manufacturing plant and similar systems across other Lhoist production sites. The role troubleshoots on-site instrumentation, process-control, and network issues, and provides technical support for data engineering and reporting, from data acquisition and storage through MES systems and reporting tools.

The position supports safe, secure, and efficient plant operations by maintaining automation systems, partnering with production, maintenance, and engineering teams, and contributing to network and automation upgrades. It also involves managing engineering data and supporting the maintenance, calibration, configuration, and integration of plant instrumentation and control devices.

Work takes place in both an office and mining-process environment. The role requires travel to regional sites in the United States and Canada and responding to after-hours callouts when production is down. Physical work may include accessing heights, confined spaces, ladders, stairs, tunnels, and floating barges; exposure to adverse weather, extreme temperatures, noise, and dust; and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of industrial experience in process controls or automation system design, operation, and maintenance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Automation Engineering, or an Electrical, Process Control, Mechatronic, or Industrial Engineering degree with a major or master’s qualifications in Automation.
• Advanced knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLC software, including PLC-5, SLC 500, and RSLogix 5000, as well as GE and Modicon PLCs.
• Advanced knowledge of ladder logic, function block, structured text, control loops, digital and analog I/O, and PLC hardware.
• Advanced knowledge of HMI and SCADA systems, including PlantPAx, FactoryTalk View SE, FactoryTalk Historian, FactoryTalk Vision, Transaction Manager, ViewPoint, Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Historian, and OSPI Vision.
• Knowledge of OT networking, including network topologies, fiber installation best practices, and Cisco and Allen-Bradley Stratix switch configurations.
• Knowledge of server-based systems using Windows Server 2016 and 2019, including VMware, virtual servers, and vCenter.
• Experience with ACAD, MSSQL, and other Microsoft application software.
• Knowledge of industrial plant operations, including mechanical, electrical, and automation systems in low-current and AC/DC environments.
• Ability to analyze problems, determine how devices work and identify root causes, implement solutions safely and effectively, and document work performed.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with engineers, production personnel, and management.
• Ability to travel 10% to sites within the United States and Canada, with periodic travel to regional locations as needed.
• Ability to respond to and address after-hours callouts and emergencies when production is down.
• Ability to access plant areas that may involve heights, confined spaces, ladders, stairs, tunnels, or floating barges; tolerate adverse weather, extreme temperatures, noise, and dust; and lift up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in mining or lime, cement, or minerals manufacturing environments.
• Bachelor of Science in Automation Engineering (B.S.E).
• Eagerness to develop and expand knowledge in emerging PLC technologies, industrial cybersecurity, virtualization, augmented reality, big data integration and historian systems, and IIoT (Industry 4.0).

Responsibilities

• Support process control and automation systems at plant sites.
• Provide automation support to Lhoist North America sites to promote equipment safety, network security, and operational efficiency.
• Work with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to understand problems and priorities and collaborate on solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve instrumentation or control-system failures to keep production running.
• Improve processes by adjusting control settings or automation to save time, reduce waste, and improve quality.
• Program and maintain VMIs, PLCs, HMIs, and network switches used to control equipment and monitor performance.
• Manage engineering data, including acquisition, cleaning, transformation, storage, security, visualization, and reporting.
• Follow Lhoist North America automation standards and best practices, and maintain current network architecture diagrams.
• Support implementation of plant process networks, automation upgrades, and improvement projects.
• Support and program Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Historian, Rockwell PlantPAx, and FactoryTalk View SE systems at plants.
• Program, configure, and set up Allen-Bradley 750-series drives, SMC Flex soft starters, E3 Plus and E300 overloads.
• Set up maintenance, calibration, and interconnectivity for precision instruments, meters, analyzers, scanners, and other control and monitoring devices.
• Document work performed and interpret technical and electrical solutions in plain-English knowledge-base articles and how-to guides for plant maintenance personnel.
• Travel to regional sites as needed and respond to after-hours callouts or emergencies when production is down.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with an employer match and a supplemental contribution based on years of service.
• Educational assistance to support continued learning and professional development.
• Competitive compensation package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level