Staff Engineering Analyst, Manufacturing

Kohler Co. • Kohler, WI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Engineering Analyst - Controls & Automation serves as the controls, automation, programming, and digital manufacturing resource for the Process Engineering team. This position partners with Process Engineers to improve process capability, equipment performance, and manufacturing visibility through PLCs, robotics, Ignition, machine data acquisition, and process monitoring systems. The role leads automation and smart factory initiatives from a technology implementation perspective, develops data-driven solutions, and drives permanent resolution of controls-related issues that impact safety, quality, productivity, and process stability. The position also provides technical support for complex production problems, equipment troubleshooting, programming of new SKU’s on robotic systems and assists with controls integration and commissioning activities for capital projects as needed. Support will also need to be provided, as needed, to the maintenance team to troubleshoot production equipment.

Requirements

• An Engineering degree, or equivalent, and 5-7 years of operations experience is required.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, self-motivation, and strong written and oral communication skills are required.
• Allen Bradley PLC and Fanuc Robot Programming experience is required.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Ignition Software and Red Lion/Crimson experience is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Process Engineers to develop and implement automation, controls, robotics, and digital manufacturing solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and process stability.
• Design, program, and support PLC, HMI, Ignition, and machine connectivity systems to improve equipment performance, process control, and manufacturing visibility.
• Develop and maintain Ignition applications, dashboards, and integrations that provide real-time visibility to machine status, equipment utilization, downtime, process performance, and critical process variables.
• Support the collection and integration of machine-generated and PLC-based data to enable process monitoring, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify and implement controls and automation improvements that reduce downtime, improve reliability, and eliminate chronic equipment and process issues.
• Support the troubleshooting, optimization, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment, robotic systems, sensors, controls networks, and associated technologies.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, IT, and Engineering teams to advance plant automation, controls, and smart manufacturing initiatives.
• Provide technical expertise and support for complex controls, automation, robotics, and programming-related production issues and drive permanent corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain controls documentation, standards, backups, and technical specifications to support long-term system reliability and maintainability.
• Evaluate and implement emerging controls, automation, sensing, and digital manufacturing technologies to improve manufacturing performance and process capability.
• Provide controls and automation support for equipment upgrades and capital projects as required, including system integration, commissioning, startup, and acceptance activities.
• Participate in all meetings by taking ownership of tasks, raising concerns, reporting risks, and aligning priorities.
• Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders, by routinely communicating project progress, support needed, and roadblocks.
• Process expert for programming and automation of existing and future systems. (PLC’s, Robots, Ignition Software, etc)

Benefits

• Day 1 benefits
• Access to applicable benefit programs from your first day on the job, with no waiting period.
• Performance bonus/variable incentive compensation
• Competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing
• Access to career growth and development opportunities
• Diverse and inclusive workplace
• Strong culture of innovation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree