Process Engineer - Automation Technical Services

SMS group USA•Gary, IN

12h•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Engineer supports technical services at SMS group by maintaining existing automation and integrating new technologies and work cells. The role supports Continuous Improvement Engineers with PLC design and troubleshooting for automated welding, machining, material handling, and data reporting. It includes designing PLC systems that integrate robots with welders, CNC machines, saws, and other part-processing equipment, as well as backing up PLCs and hard drives and troubleshooting existing PLC systems to reduce downtime. The position requires careful attention to safety, detailed documentation and file organization, and the ability to work independently. It is onsite in Washington, Pennsylvania; Taylor, Michigan; or Gary, Indiana, with domestic travel about 25% of the time and international travel when required. The engineer troubleshoots industrial electrical systems and automation, supports installation, commissioning, preventative maintenance, and repairs, and documents findings and corrective actions. The role also involves training staff and collaborating with IT, digital, electrical, and business systems teams so automated data collection and production monitoring tools can communicate with organizational business systems. SMS group describes its workplace as entrepreneurial, with a culture of innovation, growth, and inclusion, and offers company events, activities, and opportunities to participate in charitable initiatives. The company is a supplier of equipment, maintenance, and spare-part services for metals production and related industries. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a drug screen and physical capacity profile test.

Requirements

Technical diploma, apprenticeship, associate degree, or equivalent experience in industrial electrical technology, automation, or a related field.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems and control circuits.
Ability to interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
Working knowledge of PLCs, industrial I/O, motor controls, and AC/DC circuits.
Familiarity with digital and analog signal testing and electrical test instruments.
Strong analytical, communication, documentation, and customer service skills.
Ability to work independently at industrial facilities and travel as required.
Commitment to safe work practices, including lockout/tagout and applicable electrical safety requirements.
Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, terminal layouts, wire numbers, and device cross-references.
Ability to use schematics, PLC diagnostics, and electrical measurements together to isolate faults and determine root causes.
Ability to travel domestically 25% of the time and internationally when required.

Nice To Haves

Electrical Engineering or Mechatronics degree.
Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLC systems and programming software, including PLC-5, SLC 500, ControlLogix, RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, RSLinx Classic, and FactoryTalk Linx.
Experience with Siemens SIMATIC systems and software, including S7-300 and S7-400, S7-1200 and S7-1500, STEP 7 Classic, SIMATIC Manager, and TIA Portal.
Experience with industrial communication networks, including PROFIBUS, PROFINET, DH+, EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, and DeviceNet.
Experience troubleshooting digital and analog signals and I/O.
Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical documentation software.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical systems, control panels, motor controls, and automated machinery.
Diagnose PLC hardware, processor faults, ladder logic, communication networks, and I/O problems.
Use PLC programming software to monitor logic, review diagnostics, and identify control system faults.
Troubleshoot digital and analog signals, sensors, transmitters, actuators, and field wiring.
Diagnose industrial communication issues involving PLCs, remote I/O, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial devices.
Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder diagrams, and panel layouts.
Perform electrical measurements using multimeters, clamp meters, and appropriate signal-testing equipment.
Support equipment installation, commissioning, preventative maintenance, and repairs, including creating, organizing, and storing system backups.
Document troubleshooting findings, corrective actions, and service recommendations.
Follow applicable electrical safety, lockout/tagout, and workshop procedures.
Troubleshoot issues during manufacturing and modify PLCs as needed.
Schedule, oversee, and document preventative maintenance and equipment software updates.
Train staff on implementation and operation of automation systems and tools.
Collaborate with IT, digital, electrical, and business systems departments to enable automated data collection and production monitoring tools to communicate with organizational business systems.
Support existing automation and integrate new technology and work cells.
Design PLC systems that integrate robots with welders, CNC machines, saws, and other part-processing equipment.
Perform routine PLC and hard-drive backups and troubleshoot existing PLCs to reduce downtime.