Automation and Controls - Project Engineer

Accountable for the successful planning, design, commissioning, and completion of automation projects across the business. This role leads the development and implementation of automated manufacturing equipment and systems used within brick manufacturing operations. In addition to project execution, provides day-to-day technical and operational support to manufacturing plants by troubleshooting equipment issues, optimizing processes, and assisting plant teams in maintaining efficient and reliable production. Partners with plant leadership and manufacturing teams to improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational performance. Identifies and implements process improvements, supports capital projects, and drives initiatives that reduce operating costs while maintaining product quality standards. Responsible for coordinating project activities from concept through startup, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accountable for commissioning and completion of automation and controls projects across various plants  
• Travel for extended periods of time, managing project installations across several Glen Gery plants
• Assist and develop contract specifications, ensuring they are met by suppliers along with managing operational handover
• Responsible for maintaining and overseeing all site programming along with any changes and process improvement to programming.
• Instruct equipment operators and maintenance personnel regarding setup, operation and maintenance of automated and robotic brick making equipment
• Prepare and monitor budgets and scheduled assigned projects to ensure timely completion of assignments on budget.
• Assist with the preparation of capital expenditure requests including the project’s cost effectiveness by calculating the payback periods and return on investments.
• Determine feasible retrofits and redesigns of existing equipment to provide maximum productivity at reduced costs.
• Investigate and report on reasons for production variances from budgeted production and material costs and recommend and/or affect corrective measures
• Coordinate with outside vendors and service providers to assure that required equipment and quality of services are procured in a timely and efficient manner.
• Maintaining awareness/knowledge of relative technological improvement in brick production, and quality.

 Qualifications:

• B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering or qualification in Electrical Design, Engineering and installation, Programming and Automation
• Must be able to travel extensively overnight and for extended periods
• Strong knowledge of Electrical and Automation design systems.
• Process orientated with strong analytical, technical, problem solving, project and program management skills
• Strong knowledge of Allen-Bradley and Schneider programming capability, Automation Logic and Fanuc robots programing.
• Proven understanding of plant process logic and design.
• Risk assessment and Design in Engineering Process.
• Ability to work with and through outside contractors, production and sales personnel at all levels to achieve plant and corporate goals
• Experience in Maintenance and Plant Engineering in heavy industry manufacturing or a closely related industry with knowledge on network communication protocols.
• Training and/or experience with plant process improvement, budgeting, quality assurance, instrumentation, fuel consumption control, computerized equipment installation and troubleshooting, equipment design, statistical process control, OSHA and environmental compliance
• Systems “hands on” approach to problem solving.  Detail-oriented with a dedication to continuous improvement and team building
• Computer literacy with training/experience with Word, Excel, Power Point, Auto CAD, Microsoft Project Solid Works or similar 3D modeling software.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive, and as such the employee will also be required to perform other reasonably related business duties as may be assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or other management personnel as required.