Corporate Automation Engineer

Automation Network Engineer

Our client is a food manufacturing company that has been innovating retail food products for over 60 years. They are seeking an individual to be responsible for all servers and software (primarily FactoryTalkView) on the O.T. side of their manufacturing facilities. This person will develop and maintain secure network architectures, manage new automation projects, and be the company's Subject Matter Expert on all automation technologies across all 3 facilities.

This person will work with the project managers, plant control managers, and maintenance managers to schedule upgrades and repairs to existing PLC controllers, HMI systems/servers, and plant floor computer and networking hardware. Knowledge of Thin Client architecture is important.

In addition, this person will work in concert with corporate IT professionals to maintain network standards set by the company.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain secure network architecture standards and automation systems standards.
• Install hardware for the process network into their facilities, including following structured cabling and documentation standards.
• Maintain process network architecture documentation including logical network diagrams, test plans, configurations, and security standards.
• Coordinate with and supervise outside contractors.
• Function as liaison between corporate IT and facilities OT personnel
• Maintain and upgrade plant floor servers, including updating firmware and software.
• Maintain backups of PLC and HMI programs and ensure the latest software versions are being used. (Primarily Rockwell Automation products)
• Maintain and develop monitoring systems, tools, and procedures.
• Follow change management standards to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Work with Security Engineer to create and implement remediation plans for known vulnerabilities and effectively react to any securities breaches.
• Install hardware for the process network into facilities, including following structured cabling and documentation standards.
• Maintain process network architecture documentation including logical network diagrams, test plans, configurations, and security standards.
• Maintaining software licensing and support contracts for process controls software
• Implement and maintain disaster recovery solutions for process networks.
• On-call for process network issues, and ability to troubleshoot network and system issues.
• Administration and maintenance of the monitoring and management systems: update scripts, respond to alerts, monitor dashboard, and periodic system review.
• Maintain documentation for all process computer systems and network infrastructure.
• Perform hardware and software inventory, and maintain licensing standards.
• Communication with plants and end users as required: keeping them informed of incident progress, and notifying them of impending changes or maintenance windows and outages.
• Direct, or participate in, equipment start-ups, commissioning, operation, and network maintenance.
• Assists the plants with process network and computer problems.
• Develop equipment obsolescence planning.
• Follows and enforces all GMP, safety, and plant rules.
• Assist corporate IT as assigned.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, information technology, or another technical degree (B.S.) from a four-year college or university or an associate degree with very applicable work experience.
• Five years or more of experience with industrial networking and using networked PLCs and HMI.
• Proven experience managing Rockwell Automation PLC controllers and HMI software.
• Database management including SQL server and FactoryTalk Historian
• Strong knowledge of Thin Client architecture.
• Demonstrated project management skills.
• Computer Skills: Proficient in using Microsoft applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook. A working knowledge of AutoCAD, Microsoft Project, Visio, PDF editing software, PLC programming using Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix, and network protocols including TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.

Work Environment: The work environment is a traditional office with time spent on plant floors with approximately 10-15% travel involved. Must be flexible to occasionally work overtime during the week, weekends, and holidays.