Automation Engineer

Summary

The Automation Engineer designs, implements, troubleshoots, and improves the industrial automation and Operational Technology (OT) systems that support Kibar Americas' aluminum rolling and slitting operations in Fairmont. This highly visible, hands-on role works across plant-floor controls and supporting networks, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), variable-frequency drives (VFDs), and industrial communications. Working closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, and equipment vendors, this position will commission new systems, improve reliability, reduce downtime, strengthen cybersecurity, and support the continued ramp-up and modernization of the facility.

Essential Job Functions

• Program, configure, test, troubleshoot, and maintain PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, and related automation hardware.
• Diagnose complex automation, control, and industrial network issues; perform root cause analysis and implement sustainable corrective actions to minimize downtime.
• Lead or support the installation, commissioning, testing, and startup of new production equipment, automation systems, and capital projects.
• Monitor the health and availability of Operational Technology systems and manage backups, recovery plans, software versions, patching, and equipment lifecycle activities.
• Strengthen OT cybersecurity through network segmentation, access controls, firewalls, secure remote access, and other recognized industrial security practices.
• Maintain and troubleshoot industrial networks and communications used by plant-floor equipment and control systems.
• Support integration between plant-floor systems and business applications, including data historians, manufacturing execution systems (MES), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and quality systems.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, and vendors to standardize automation platforms, programming practices, and control system architectures.
• Create and maintain clear technical documentation, including network diagrams, control narratives, system configurations, backups, software inventories, and standard operating procedures.
• Ensure automation changes comply with plant safety requirements, management-of-change processes, environmental standards, and internal controls; provide technical guidance and training to operations and maintenance personnel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.
• Three to five years of hands-on experience supporting industrial automation, control systems, or Operational Technology in a manufacturing or process environment preferred.
• Practical experience programming or troubleshooting PLCs and configuring HMIs or SCADA systems in a production setting preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices, standard work, documentation, and continuous improvement.

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of major PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, or comparable industrial control platforms.
• Experience with SCADA systems, HMIs, VFDs, and control system architectures used in continuous or batch manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, and OPC UA.
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity principles, including network segmentation, firewalls, user access, secure remote connectivity, and system hardening.
• Proficiency with Windows-based industrial computers and servers, virtualization, system backups, and recovery practices.
• Knowledge of electrical controls and instrumentation fundamentals, including the ability to interpret electrical drawings and control schematics.
• Strong troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and practical problem-solving skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, project work, outside vendors, and urgent production support needs.
• Clear communication and collaboration skills across operations, maintenance, engineering, IT, vendors, and plant leadership.
• Experience in heavy industrial, metals, aluminum, rolling, or slitting operations is preferred but not required.

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those required to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Regular standing, walking, bending, and reaching while working throughout the facility.
• Occasional work below waist level, climbing, carrying, reaching over or away from the body, reaching above the shoulder, pushing or pulling, and lifting up to 35 pounds.
• Regular interaction with employees, contractors, equipment suppliers, and visitors throughout the facility.
• A combination of office, plant-floor, equipment-startup, and meeting-based work.
• Exposure to industrial conditions such as noise, dust, temperature variations, moving equipment, and occasional work at heights.

EEO Statement

Kibar Americas provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, genetic information, religion, creed, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age, marital status, citizenship status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Persons with mental and physical disabilities are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the Company undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.

Kibar Americas is the wholly-owned US subsidiary of Assan Alüminyum, one of the leading manufacturers in the flat-rolled aluminum (FRP) industry with an installed annual capacity reaching up to 660 million pounds. The company manufactures coil & sheet, foil and pre-painted aluminum products in its production facilities located in Istanbul, Turkey, offering its products to a variety of sectors, such as packaging, distribution, construction, consumer durables, automotive and HVAC, including, particularly Finstock foil applications, where Assan Aluminum is one of the manufacturers leading the market in Europe. The company was established in 1988 as a subsidiary of Kibar Holding and is currently the 3rd largest aluminum foil manufacturer in Europe. Kibar Americas, located in Chicago, IL, will allow Assan Alüminyum to create more value for its North American customers, through its ambitious plans for growth and potential further investment in North America.

Kibar Americas aims to Create the Future Together with its business partners. With its core values of reliability, flexibility and innovativeness, the company provides customized solutions for its customers. The company’s vision is based on being more environmentally sustainable. The renewable energy power plant and the in-house recycling facility both serve its sustainability strategy by reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

With the dedication of almost 1500 employees, the company exports to more than 70 countries all around the world, mainly Western Europe and North America.