Engineer- Controls II USA

First Solar•Trinity, AL

5d•$80,700 - $115,000

About The Position

This mid-level corporate controls engineering role leads the global implementation and development of electrical control systems and designs. The engineer programs PLCs and HMIs, checks out vendor equipment, starts up equipment and systems, and collects data to optimize control systems. The role supports manufacturing facilities globally and helps coordinate new equipment installation and implementation. It designs, programs, and coordinates small-, medium-, and some large-scale control systems and projects, while ensuring new process tools adhere to corporate controls standards and best practices. The position involves maintaining and updating manufacturing equipment electrical drawings, coordinating communication between manufacturing process equipment and SQL databases, evaluating proposed equipment controls against MES requirements, and troubleshooting controls issues globally. The engineer works with internal departments and external suppliers, recommends standards or policy changes where appropriate, and supports safety, effective communication, and team building. The position has no direct reports and requires no travel. The estimated annual salary range is $80,700 to $115,000. The role has hybrid physical requirements that include sitting, standing, or walking for much of a shift; occasional stair climbing and lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 27 pounds; frequent hand use and reaching; occasional stooping, kneeling, or bending; and the ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including a respirator when required. A 20/40 vision requirement in each eye, with or without correction, and compliance with safety procedures are also specified.

Requirements

At least 6 years of manufacturing equipment controls engineering experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent years of work experience.
Knowledge and experience in controls engineering techniques and practices for global facilities, including North America, Asia, and Europe.
Ability to troubleshoot electrical and electronic control systems.
Knowledge of global manufacturing processes and safety requirements.
Experience using Autodesk AutoCAD to create electrical schematics and panel layouts.
Knowledge of programming Rockwell Automation Logix PLCs, including ladder and function block diagrams.
Knowledge of programming Rockwell Automation HMIs, including PanelView Plus, PanelView Plus CE, and RSView SE.
Knowledge of designing, programming, and commissioning at least two control networks from among ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, and Ethernet.
Knowledge of robotic systems, including programming, safety requirements, and design and implementation practices.
Knowledge of motion controls, including stepper motors, servo motors, and AC/DC drives.
Knowledge of Cognex vision camera configuration and programming.
Knowledge of computer hardware and applications, and the Microsoft Office family.
Some knowledge of working in a server environment.
Some Microsoft SQL Server database configuration experience.
Experience in at least one multi-tiered architecture using C#, VB.NET, HTML, XML, and SQL.
Knowledge of corporate Ethernet architectures and systems.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Good problem-solving skills.
Ability to meet the listed physical requirements, comply with safety standards, and wear required personal protective equipment, including a respirator when required.
Must successfully complete a background check, pre-employment drug screen, and any other test required for the role.

Responsibilities

Lead global implementation and development of electrical control systems and designs.
Provide global support to manufacturing facilities.
Assist with global coordination of new equipment installation and implementation.
Assist with global communication between manufacturing process equipment and SQL databases.
Maintain and update manufacturing process tool electrical drawings globally, documenting equipment changes and keeping drawings current.
Design and establish the theory behind manufacturing control systems, ensuring new process tools follow corporate controls standards and best practices.
Troubleshoot global equipment controls issues, solve problems, and recommend controls policy or standard changes to prevent future issues.
Interface with internal departments and external suppliers to ensure corporate controls policies and standards are understood and followed.
Evaluate proposed equipment control systems against MES requirements and provide recommendations to vendors or internal stakeholders.
Maintain effective global communications and foster team building.
Ensure adherence to safety procedures and good housekeeping standards.
Design, program, and coordinate small-, medium-, and some large-scale control systems and projects.
Perform vendor equipment checkout, equipment and system startups, data collection, and control-system optimization.