System Soft Technologies | Factory Automation Engineering Manager

Title: Factory Automation Engineer Manager

Location: Clackamus, OR

Duration: (direct-hire)

The Factory Automation Engineer Manager is a member of our IT team, responsible for building an Automation Engineering team to implementing new PLC, SCADA and MES applications for the factory floor. In addition the role, supports the our plant maintenance teams where more advanced troubleshooting skills in factory automation areas are required. The role requires working with other members of the IT team to ensure factory automation systems are properly integrated with enterprise applications such as ERP.

This position involves being fiscally responsible, business-oriented, strategic, and technical and is ideal for someone who is adept at building positive relationships across different areas on the plant floor and into plant management, working collaboratively to complete projects on time, suggest mechanical, technical and operating improvements, and resolve issues. The role works with both IT and operations leadership to set the strategic direction for factory automation and for the effective implementation of flexible, scalable, and adaptable systems.The role calls for ensuring factory automation systems adhere to our cybersecurity standards.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Technical:

• Maintain a working knowledge of the PLC, SCADA and MES solutions in operation at our manufacturing plant, whether they be OEM supplied, implemented by automation contractors or developed by us.
• Understand how OEM supplied factory automation systems operate and how to keep them running to design specifications. Maintain relationships with OEM support engineers who may be called upon as necessary.
• Work with plant management and IT to assist in the specification, design, contracting and implementation of new processing, packaging or utility equipment.
• Suggest, justify, gain approval for, design and implement improvements to existing factory automation systems. Seek outside expertise as necessary to identify gaps and consider recommendations.
• Review OEM and contractor supplied operations and troubleshooting guides and augment them when appropriate to fill in gaps which help keep our systems operating effectively. Develop and maintain operations and troubleshooting guides for our developed systems.
• Ensure all automation systems are properly documented such that they can be sustained by us, OEMs and contractors.
• Attend and support operations and maintenance training led by OEM engineers.Conduct similar training for our developed systems.
• Maintain PLC, SCADA and MES skills consistent with industry trends and application to our needs.
• Upon installation ensure all factory automation systems meet IT’s requirements pertaining to connectivity and cybersecurity. After maintenance work is performed re-check that systems continue to meet such requirements.
• Work with OEMs and with IT team to identify and manage software update processes using internal and external resources. Collaborate with the organization to minimize operating impact and business risk.
• Identify, report and mitigate factory automation risks to operations and IT leadership and suggest methods to mitigate such risks. These include but are not limited to physical and cyber security, systems performance and availability, single points of failure, backup and recovery.
• Work with operations and IT leadership to keep factory automation systems up to date on technology and suggest innovations to continue to advance the automation mission in a sustainable way.

People:

Vet workforce resources and build out the Factory Automation Team.

• Work collaboratively with plant teams, helping them understand how automation systems operate and are to be maintained.
• Work collaboratively with IT teams to ensure interoperability of automation systems with enterprise systems, and the support of factory automation interfaces to enterprise systems.
• Work in a self-directed manner on projects
• Provide leadership to operations and maintenance team members involved in factory automation projects
• Understand, support and help grow our Diamond Philosophy.

• Projects:Maintain a working knowledge of project management methods.
• Manage small projects personally and work with our project managers on larger automation projects.
• Report project status to IT leadership on a regular basis.
• Keep plant operations and maintenance managers apprised of project status as it applies to their efforts.

• Safety:Maintain a working knowledge of, and 100% compliance with, safety procedures pertaining to working around processing and material handling equipment. This includes use of appropriate PPE as well as operating procedures.
• Coordinate with plant operations, maintenance and safety teams as per industry best practices and regulatory agencies.
• Support the design and maintenance of safety circuits and regulations pertaining to working with automation equipment.

Core Competencies

• Technical proficiency with PLC, SCADA and MES systems
• Basic understanding of IT systems
• Understanding of process and packaging equipment
• Leadership/People Management

• Self-Directed
• Human communications
• Work collaboratively
• Technology proficiency
• Regulatory Management

Education and Experience

Required

• BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in Factory Automation, Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Management, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive factory automation managerial experience.
• Proven self-directed and technical project management skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time or more, as required.
• Willingness to adhere to our safety regulations pertaining to lock-out/tag out, etc.

Preferred

• Food processing and packaging experience
• Prior LEAN management and constant process improvement experience.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member:

• Must be available to work Monday–Friday during regular working hours in any of our facilities with semi-frequent off-hours and weekend duties commonly required due to the nature of the work.
• Ability to maintain a stationary position 80% of the time, with intermittent walking, standing, bending, reaching, and/or crawling.
• Ability to safely reach and work inside equipment enclosures, work in confined spaces, climb ladders, work on elevated platforms.
• Ability to move and transport documents, equipment, or other items weighing up to 50 pounds across various locations for different team members, departments, and events.
• Capable of frequent travel as required by duties, demonstrating efficiency and effectiveness in diverse locations.
• Capable of operating all manner of computer, lab and test equipment pertaining to factory automation activities.
• Capable of frequently communicating with team members and stakeholders, accurately conveying detailed or important spoken instructions.
• Capable of perceiving visuals for activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer screen, and engaging in extensive reading.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Working Conditions

The working environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is exposed to:

• Factory floor environment
• Traditional office environment
• Production floor equipment (production lines, material handling equipment, robotics, control panels potentially with electrical disconnects and foreign voltage sources, motor controls, etc.)
• Standard office equipment (computers, printers, phones, etc.)
• Environments with a large range of lighting
• Full spectrum of noise levels including those requiring hearing protection
• Semi-frequent travel via car or plane to facilities, events, etc.
• Exposure to hazardous materials used in the operation and maintenance of production facilities
• All manner of scents and related to the production facility
• Frequent access to production, warehouse and other facilities where slip and fall hazards are present