Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

Job Summary

As a design build engineering firm and general contractor that designs and builds food and beverage processing facilities, Dennis Group’s automation & controls engineers work closely with our process, packaging and building engineers to meet our clients’ expectations in startup, commissioning, and qualifying their food and beverage production facilities.  The role requires regular onsite presence to ensure necessary diagnoses, troubleshooting, and operational startup of our client’s production lines, equipment, and facilities.  Our automation & controls engineers are frequently facing engineering challenges in applying standard engineering techniques to design, develop, and maintain instrumentation or control systems.  Both software and hardware design and troubleshooting skills and abilities is required for this role.  Typical responsibilities include, but not limited to:  

Responsibilities

• Handles complex issues and problems and refers more complex issues to higher-level engineer, team lead, or manager
• With general supervision, designs and troubleshoot both software and hardware necessary for control systems utilizing PLCs for integration of manufacturing systems.
• Automates manufacturing processes through the use of instrumentation or controls systems.
• Design, diagnose, and troubleshoot network infrastructures - Ethernet, DeviceNet, AS-i, Profibus etc.
• Develops new PLC applications, interfaces, or embedded controls
• Develops new or modifies existing set-up and commissioning of new facilities or upgrading of existing facilities
• Design, specify, wire, and procure control panel equipment, e.g. safety circuits, I/O, networks, etc.
• Design, specify, and procure electrical equipment, e.g. MCCs, panelboards, transformers, etc.
• Create design basis document & scope of work
• Develop functional descriptions and analysis documents devices
• Understand size and placement of control/electrical panels
• Specify, procure, configure, and troubleshoot controls hardware and field instrumentation
• Assist with coordinating with other engineer disciplines
• Troubleshoots and resolves malfunctions and makes recommendations that will improve efficiency or quality of operations
• Create commissioning and start-up checklist
• Observe rough-in construction for compliance with plans, specs, and details
• Project primary client technical contact
• Develop bid documentation for Electrical, Automation, and Low Voltage (network, security) vendors
• Documents specifications and operating procedures
• Interface and manage installation contractors during construction
• Researching Automation & Controls materials and best practices
• Supporting talent growth within our organization 
• Provide coaching and/or mentoring to a subordinate group when directed by supervisor.

Required Education Skills and Experience

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 8-11 years of experience with Allen Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, GE Fanuc, Honeywell Systems.
• 8-11 years of experience in Visual Basic, SQL, MS ACCESS Database programming skills a plus
• 8-11 years of experience with Design and implement process network infrastructure (Ethernet, Device Net, Control Net, ProfiBus, etc.)
• 8-11 years of experience in an industrial manufacturing setting
• Database programming skills a plus
• Proficiency with MS Office and AutoCAD Required
• This role is client facing, those successful in this role are professional, self-motivated, and energetic individuals with excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
• Must meet travel requirement - you will spend significant time in our client's facilities during installation and startup/commissioning/qualification phases of a project – 35% to 50% of any given time of the year.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking during installation, commissioning and startup.
• Must be able to lift-up to 30 pounds at times.

Travel Requirement

• Up to 50% travel required to visit project site and other offices.

About Us

We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.

Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.

Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.