Group Leader - Controls Engineering

Rausch & Pausch • Auburn, AL

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Rausch and Pausch LP (RAPA) is hiring a Group Leader - Controls Engineering in Auburn, AL. This role involves demonstrating technical expertise in manufacturing processes, collaborating with R&D and operations, and taking accountability for control and testing system programming and design. The position also includes managing a team of controls and testing engineers, overseeing hiring and professional development, participating in leadership meetings, and managing departmental budgets. The role requires overseeing machine controls, developing integration strategies with equipment vendors, and leading the development of process and machine control designs. Additionally, it involves managing capital projects, maintaining IT systems in coordination with the German IT team, leading the IT Service Help Desk, performing first-level IT troubleshooting, contributing to IT budgeting, and supporting the IT roadmap. The Group Leader will act as a liaison with the German IT team for standardization and train users on new technologies. The position emphasizes individual ownership of work and performance, with other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
• At least 6 years of experience in production processes, the automotive industry, or product testing.
• Programming experience in one high-level programming language (C++/Java/Visual Basic/Ruby/Python).
• Strong working knowledge of Beckhoff TwinCat PLC and Drive technology knowledge (Beckhoff Drives ideal).
• Ability to program in Structured Text is a must.
• Good Vision Systems experience (COGNEX Vision Systems, Keyence Vision Systems).
• Ability to read electrical drawings in IEC 60617 standard format.
• Knowledge of US electrical norms such as NFPA70 and 79.
• Ability to design and layout Electrical cabinets.
• Ability to hold a passport and travel within Germany without accompaniment.
• Ability to manage and motivate the process control team, resolving issues, scheduling, and coordinating work among the team.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
• Expected to proactively solve potential problems before they occur throughout the course of the project including design, specification, construction, acceptance, and start-up.
• Needs to be a highly motivated self-starter capable of being assigned a project and expected to produce results with little or no supervision.
• Ability and willingness to make presentations to small and large groups of salary and/or hourly associates.
• Must possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong Microsoft Office suite knowledge.

Nice To Haves

• LabView knowledge is a plus.
• Some knowledge of the German language and customs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate technical adeptness in manufacturing processes and work with R&D, manufacturing equipment, and operations in the development and maintenance of controls and testing equipment.
• Take accountability for control and testing system programming and design for all computer-controlled machinery and processes, working with multi-discipline teams, troubleshooting operational problems, developing process control strategies, and providing training.
• Manage the day-to-day activities of controls and testing engineers to ensure project and departmental goals meet desired metric targets.
• Be responsible for hiring, training, and professional growth of Engineers within the department.
• Participate as the controls and testing expert in leadership meetings to set project goals, priorities, and strategies.
• Be responsible for annual training, operational, and capital budgeting for the OPC department.
• Oversee machine controls and operations within the company and the development of the overall machine controls/testing strategy for projects.
• Perform and oversee MSA’s and other test system capability analysis.
• Manage work being done with equipment vendors to facilitate process control integration, communicate progress and plans to other team leads, and work with other team leads to negotiate conflicts.
• Lead/oversee the development of all process and machine control design including control network architecture, wiring diagrams, control schemes, PLC, testing, and control interface equipment.
• Lead runoff/acceptance/installation activities for new equipment pertaining to the control and operation of the machine, develop integration plans including resources, and communicate the plan to all involved parties.
• Manage capital projects that focus on process control integration or upgrades.
• Be responsible for maintaining and updating facility IT systems and infrastructure in close coordination with RAPA Group IT (Germany).
• Lead RAPA LP IT Service Help Desk, assisting users with technical or programming issues or needs.
• Perform first-level troubleshooting of any IT system or infrastructure issues and work with RAPA Group IT to resolve.
• Contribute to IT annual budgeting for RAPA LP inclusive of hardware and infrastructure items.
• Support implementation of RAPA IT Roadmap.
• Act as a liaison with the Selb, Germany IT team to standardize IT infrastructure, services, and support.
• Train users on the use of new programs and technologies.
• Own individual work and personal performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Primary & Secondary medical coverage
• Supplemental Insurance coverage
• Dental coverage
• 401-K with a company match
• Paid time off
• 11 Paid Holidays per year
• Potential Bonus opportunities
• Company paid benefits, including: Vision insurance, Life Insurance, and Disability coverage

What This Job Offers

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