Mechatronics Controls Engineer -Concrete Products

COLUMBIA MACHINE INC•Vancouver, WA

10d•$123,000 - $152,000•Onsite

About The Position

At Columbia, we are driven by the belief that innovation can transform industries, empower communities, and create a more efficient, sustainable world. With operations spanning five continents and a commitment to excellence in service and support, our purpose extends beyond engineering advanced equipment. We are pioneering innovation and paving a better tomorrow with factory automation solutions worldwide. The Mechatronics Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, programming, integration, testing, and commissioning of automated machinery and equipment. This position combines electrical, controls, robotics, software engineering, SCADA, and a solid knowledge of mechanical principles to deliver reliable, high-performance automation solutions. The engineer will work closely with mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing, service, and project management teams throughout the entire product lifecycle, from concept through field startup and customer support.

Requirements

PLC Programming (Rockwell and Mitsubishi)
HMI Development (FactoryTalk ME and Mitsubishi)
SCADA Development (FactoryTalk View SE)
Motion Control and Servo Systems (Rockwell and Indramat)
Industrial Robotics (Yaskawa)
Industrial Networking: EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus TCP/IP
Basic programming/scripting experience (Structured Text, Python, C#, or equivalent)
Sensors and Instrumentation
Pneumatic Systems
Hydraulic Systems
Industrial Electrical Design
Machine Safety Standards
Electrical and Mechanical Schematics
Control Panel Design
Machine Vision Systems
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
Project and process management
Technical documentation development
Strong written and verbal communication
Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams
Customer-focused mindset
Continuous improvement orientation
Bachelor's Degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related discipline.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, robotics, or machine design.

Nice To Haves

Experience with capital equipment manufacturing.
Experience integrating robotics and vision systems.
Experience commissioning automated production systems.
Familiarity with machine safety standards including ANSI, NFPA 79, ISO 13849, UL508A and CE requirements.

Responsibilities

Develop, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, motion control, SCADA, and robotic systems.
Configure and commission controls systems, servo systems, VFDs, industrial networks, sensors, and vision systems.
Design machine control logic, safety circuits, and operational sequences.
Develop and maintain automation standards, reusable software modules, and engineering documentation.
Support remote diagnostics, troubleshooting, and performance improvements.
Mentor newer engineers.
Design and integrate electro-mechanical systems including actuators, conveyors, robotics, pneumatics, hydraulics, sensors, and machine interfaces.
Collaborate with mechanical and electrical engineers, as well as service to ensure seamless integration of machine systems.
Participate in machine risk assessments and safety reviews.
Evaluate new technologies and recommend improvements to product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
Perform system validation and functional testing during assembly and startup.
Assist in prototype development and R&D activities for new products and enhancements.
Support troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, software, and systems integration issues.
Analyze machine performance data and implement corrective actions as needed.
Support projects from concept through design, manufacturing, installation, and customer acceptance.
Generate Bills of Material (BOMs), I/O lists, functional specifications, operators’ manuals, and engineering documentation.
Coordinate with cross-functional teams to meet project schedules and customer requirements.
Provide technical support to Sales, Manufacturing, Service, and Customer Care teams.
Travel to customer sites for startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, optimization, and training activities.
Work directly with customers to diagnose and resolve equipment performance issues.
Support machine upgrades, retrofits, and continuous improvement initiatives.