Senior PLC Application Engineer

SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS

Application Engineers with PLC expertise develop PLC application monitoring and control software, perform factory and field testing, startup, customer training, and PLC related service work. Senior applications engineers must be able to work independently and lead small teams of engineers to deliver complete quality solutions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receives project requirements and direction through meetings with the Project Manager and review of the contract documents.
• Keeps PMs informed of the status of tasks and projects milestones. Maintains awareness of project budgets and keeps the PM aware of issues that would adversely affect the budget.
• Produces timely, accurate project documentation such as timesheets, trip reports, etc.
• Follows established Best Practices and Development Standards and Procedures.
• Produces the System Control Narrative on projects.
• Develop Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) application programs based on the contract documents and System Control Narrative using the PLC manufacturer's Programming Software.
• Installs all developed application software and required vendor software and verifies their proper execution.
• Interfaces the company's supplied equipment to third-party vendor systems via industrial communication protocols, when applicable.
• Participates in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), when required.
• Demonstrates overall system functionality to the Owner/Engineer/Contractor including hardware and network operation, SCADA monitoring and control, displaying data, alarming, and historical data collection for report generation.
• Provides training to operators, supervisors, and administrative personnel.
• Generates and gathers all required final project documentation.
• Provides technical assistance to Customers.
• Provides reactive and responsive support to field service technicians to assist in troubleshooting and repair of PLC related issues at customer sites or by remote support as appropriate.
• Provide leadership and guidance for less experienced engineers as appropriate.
• Lead or participate in project teams as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum 7 years' experience in PLC programming, preferably in the Water & Wastewater industry. PLC Application Engineers must have knowledge and experience with PLC hardware and programming software (Allen-Bradley and/or Schneider and/or Siemens and/or Emerson). Must have experience with connecting PLCs to SCADA systems such as Ignition, AVEVA, VTScada, and iFix and troubleshooting such connections. Good communications skills and the ability to work well with other are essential.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to communicate orally with management and other co-workers is crucial. Regular use of the telephone and e-mail for communication is essential. Sitting for extended periods in front of a computer monitor is common. Hearing within normal ranges is necessary for communication with the Project Team and customers. Adequate vision is needed for using a computer monitor. Lifting of computer servers, workstations, and peripherals is expected. Good manual dexterity for setting up computer equipment and attaching associated cables.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The job is performed both indoors at the office and at the jobsite. Activities include extended periods of sitting and extensive work at a computer monitor. This job includes the potential of working irregular hours with on-call availability to troubleshoot project startup and warranty problems.

TRAVEL

Travel, including some overnight travel, is required on a regular basis to start up, test, and demonstrate the company's supplied SCADA monitoring and control systems.

An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.