Specialist A

Toyota Boshoku America•Jackson, TN

About The Position

Develops, implements, integrates, and supports smart factory, manufacturing execution, industrial automation, and manufacturing data systems using the Ignition platform. Partners with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, Digital Transformation, and IT teams to improve operational efficiency, system reliability, data visibility, and manufacturing performance. Supports new plant and equipment implementations, PLC interfaces, reporting solutions, user training, and ongoing production system support. The role designs and maintains Ignition applications and related plant-system integrations; develops SQL-based data and reporting solutions; provides technical support and troubleshooting; and assists with infrastructure, launches, upgrades, testing, and continuous improvement projects. It also develops specifications, trains users, maintains technical documentation, and responds to requests for system features and modifications while managing multiple priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field; or equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience.
Three or more years of relevant industrial automation, manufacturing systems, software development, or manufacturing data systems experience.
Experience developing or supporting systems in a manufacturing environment, including knowledge of manufacturing information flow and production support requirements.
Hands-on experience with Inductive Automation Ignition and SQL database development or administration.
Knowledge of PLC/HMI programming, client/server networking, report generation, and industrial data visualization.
Knowledge of Ignition SCADA, Perspective, Vision, historians, analytics platforms, and manufacturing execution systems.
Knowledge of SQL Server / Transact-SQL, SQL queries, stored procedures, database integration, and manufacturing data collection.
Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as OPC-UA, Ethernet/IP, MQTT, or Modbus.
Knowledge of network fundamentals, switch configurations, system storage, processing requirements, and industrial cybersecurity principles.
Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, specifications, and component manuals.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and related business applications.
Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and contribute effectively in a team environment.
Strong organization, planning, and time-management skills, including the ability to manage complex projects, multiple priorities, and tight deadlines.
Clear verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation skills, including ability to explain technical concepts and produce concise visual reports.
Customer-focused support mindset and ability to build positive working relationships across departments, locations, organizational levels, and external partners.
Flexibility and effectiveness in a fast-paced, changing, multicultural manufacturing environment.
Must be willing and able to travel up to 10% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Python and Jython scripting; Visual Basic .NET, Visual Studio, or web development experience is beneficial.
Experience with Power BI, SSRS, Andon visualization, OEE reporting, downtime analysis, quality reporting, and manufacturing analytics.
Ignition Certification.
Experience with Oracle ERP, MES architecture, data warehouses, ISA-95 concepts, and industrial cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, implement, and maintain Ignition SCADA, Perspective, and Vision applications, including operator dashboards, Andon displays, production monitoring screens, and management reporting tools.
Gather requirements with cross-functional users, define data collection and visualization needs, prioritize improvements, and communicate project and support status.
Integrate PLCs, HMIs, databases, historians, manufacturing equipment, TBA MES, and other plant systems using appropriate industrial communication protocols and interfaces.
Develop and maintain SQL queries, stored procedures, data collection services, custom extensions, and data processing solutions for OEE, downtime, quality, production, and operational reporting.
Provide front-line troubleshooting and L1/L2 technical support for manufacturing systems, coordinating with IT, engineering teams, and third-party vendors to resolve issues requiring application changes.
Assist with data collection hardware, network infrastructure, protocol design, system storage, processing capacity, and performance monitoring.
Support machine launches, new plant implementations, system upgrades, testing, and continuous improvement projects, including system testing and user acceptance training.
Develop specifications for application improvements and customizations, ensuring solutions follow established DX, IT, engineering, cybersecurity, and programming standards.
Conduct user training, answer functionality questions, and support train-the-trainer activities with local plant IT and operational teams.
Maintain architecture, design, programming standard, testing, support, and training documentation.
Identify and implement opportunities to improve equipment performance, process performance, system reliability, and user experience.
Respond to management and customer requests for new features or modifications while managing multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.