Project and Automation Engineer

AAK•Louisville, KY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Project Engineer is responsible for leading and supporting automation projects that improve safety, reliability, quality, efficiency, and throughput across manufacturing and operational processes. This role partners with operations, maintenance, engineering, vendors, and other cross-functional stakeholders to develop, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize automation systems, controls, and related technologies from concept through commissioning and sustained operation.

Requirements

Lead assigned automation projects from scope development through design, installation, startup, commissioning, and closeout.
Develop project requirements, specifications, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans in alignment with site priorities and business objectives.
Design, program, configure, and support automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, instrumentation, drives, robotics, and industrial networks as applicable.
Troubleshoot automation equipment, control logic, instrumentation, and communication issues to minimize downtime and improve system performance.
Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, product quality, safety, reliability, and maintainability through automation and controls improvements.
Collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, IT/OT, and external vendors to ensure automation solutions are practical, reliable, and compliant.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, functional specifications, drawings, I/O lists, test plans, operating procedures, and training materials.
Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, startup, validation, and handoff activities for new or modified automation systems.
Ensure automation projects comply with applicable safety standards, company policies, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity expectations for industrial control systems.
Provide technical guidance and training to operations and maintenance personnel on new and existing automation systems.
Monitor system performance after implementation and recommend corrective actions, upgrades, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned automation projects from scope development through design, installation, startup, commissioning, and closeout.
Develop project requirements, specifications, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans in alignment with site priorities and business objectives.
Design, program, configure, and support automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, instrumentation, drives, robotics, and industrial networks as applicable.
Troubleshoot automation equipment, control logic, instrumentation, and communication issues to minimize downtime and improve system performance.
Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, product quality, safety, reliability, and maintainability through automation and controls improvements.
Collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, IT/OT, and external vendors to ensure automation solutions are practical, reliable, and compliant.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, functional specifications, drawings, I/O lists, test plans, operating procedures, and training materials.
Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, startup, validation, and handoff activities for new or modified automation systems.
Ensure automation projects comply with applicable safety standards, company policies, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity expectations for industrial control systems.
Provide technical guidance and training to operations and maintenance personnel on new and existing automation systems.
Monitor system performance after implementation and recommend corrective actions, upgrades, or continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

Career paths, training and development, e-learning and tuition reimbursement programs
Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision) starting date of hire
Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000-$1,500
Match 100% of the first 3% you contribute to your 401(k), and 50% of the next 3%
Free Life and Disability insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Supplemental Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Legal Insurance Plans
Discounts on travel, amusement parks, concerts, movies, and more
Celebrations, events, and activities on site and supporting our communities
Recognition incentives for service and peer to peer recognition