Automation Engineer

Job Title: Automation Engineer

Location: Sandersville, GA (periodic travel to Langley, SC)

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Automation Engineer will be responsible for automation and electrical/power initiatives and working cross-functional departments (Operations, Engineering, EH&S, and Quality). This role will oversee and perform the design, installation, programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting of new and existing electrical distribution systems, programmable logic controllers, and associated instrumentation systems, which will improve the efficiency and operating parameters of our processing facilities.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform hands-on design, installation, programming, maintenance, and troubleshooting of new and existing electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Perform high-quality work that is completed on time and within budget.
• Achieve synergies with vendors/contractors (when approved) and ensure that their work is completed on time, to specifications, and within budget.
• Assess and document the success/failure of completed projects based on the initial proposal.
• Develop Process Optimization and Automation systems related to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs –Allen Bradley PLC 5, SLC 500, ControlLogix), Aveva Insight by Wonderware, and Human Machine Interface Systems (HMIs).
• Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work in the field, including the management, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of operations and CapEx projects in North America, including improvement projects, plant infrastructure maintenance upgrades.
• Duties will include devising new approaches to problems, and preparing or modifying drawings, specifications, calculations, charts, and graphs, and monitoring work for compliance with applicable codes (NEC, NFPA), accepted engineering practices, and Imerys standards.
• Overseeing the implementation of new process control projects
• Developing and utilizing complicated process/control simulation software.
• Purchasing and installing equipment.
• Investigating and troubleshooting plant/process problems.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• BS in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering or related field (preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in installing and operating electrical distribution systems, programmable logic controllers (Allen Bradley PLC 5, SLC 500, ControlLogix), building of HMIs (RS View, FactoryTalkView, and Aveva Insight by Wonderware), Ethernet/fiber optic networks, and controls/instrumentation in a process manufacturing industry.
• Experience with low, medium, and high voltage systems in industrial settings is preferred.
• Hands-on knowledge of current software and related instrumentation, including database (Pi Servers) and SCADA systems, with a proven track record of effectively utilizing them.
• Ability to thoroughly understand our processes and to participate in the preliminary design of automation projects and add value to the design process.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics:

• Thorough knowledge of electrical/automation control design and engineering techniques, as well as CAD and graphics skills.
• Electrical AutoCAD and electrical analysis software familiarity (ETAP, Easy Power) is a plus.
• Knowledgeable in National Fire Protection Association/National Electrical Code (NFPA/NEC) Standards.
• Ability and willingness to travel as required. - 10%

Work environment:

• This position will be operating in an industrial minerals environment, which includes both wet and dry processing, with milling, screening, separation, blunging, degritting, drying, and calcining equipment.
• Lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds up to 25% of work time.
• Climbing stairs up to 10% of work time.
• Clothing/Device/Equipment Required to be Used:
• Frequent use of computers and telephones, PPE related to mining and industrial sites required (hard hat, respirator, safety glasses, steel-toed boots).