TEMPORARY Controls Engineer

Job Description

Position:      Temp Controls Engineer

Location:     Engineering Laboratory

Reports to:  Engineering Lab Technical Lead - Automation

Scope:

Working in an Engineering Research and Development Laboratory with the responsibility of testing and evaluating components and prototypes to maintain initiative and project timelines for new product or process introductions. This includes ensuring that all standards and requirements are met during the prototype development stage through the use of computers, computer controls, and data acquisition. Creative input is required frequently, as prototype specifications are often incomplete during early project development.

RESPONSIBILITIES to include but not limited to:

• PLC (Programmable logic controllers) and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design, development, and maintenance in support of lab automation systems
• Design, build, and wire electrical control panels and enclosures in support of lab test systems and automation projects, adhering to applicable electrical safety standards including NFPA 70E, NEC, and UL 508A
• SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems; maintain and modify
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communications protocols including, but not limited to, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and OPC-UA as required by test system architecture
• Maintain version control and change management practices for control system code and configuration files
• Testing, maintaining, and modifying existing systems
• Analyzing data and presenting findings in written reports
• Working collaboratively with design engineers, operation engineers, purchasers and other internal staff
• Providing advice and consultancy support
• Writing test procedures
• Install & setup necessary supporting equipment, components and data loggers for testing. Operate the test assembly and instrumentation, measuring performance of products and record data as directed.
• Responsible for completing assigned work orders, involving supporting priorities, evaluating work orders for thoroughness, and maintaining accurate status in online project management software of current workload.
• Assume responsibility for all aspects of work including quality, timeliness and final report results with goal to complete work with little oversight.
• Assemble and test products to comply with engineering specifications (hydrostatic, flex, bending moment, pneumatic, cycle, low temperature, heat aging, fire suppression, flow loop and any additional required tests).
• Inspection and/or testing of any products or components for defects and compliance with engineering specification and drawings.
• Inspect and recalibrate equipment (i.e. gages, precision measuring instruments, etc.) as necessary, to standards which are traceable to NIST. Maintain calibration records and logs per department process and ISO standards.
• Operate lab fabrication equipment, i.e. cut-off saw, drill press, belt sander, grinder, and other machine shop equipment, as necessary, to prepare product and materials for product testing. (Clean and maintain, as needed).
• Support continuous improvement developments in the lab in accordance with Lean Initiative.
• Maintain an efficient, professional, organized, and clean work area in the lab environment.
• Follow all company safety requirements, procedures and participate in testing safety reviews.
• Log and estimate all hours using Liquid Planner (LP) and use LP as a primary communication tool
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Specific policies and procedures have been established by the Engineering Department to provide for the security and accessibility of electronic data and confidential information. It is the responsibility of the employee, in the daily course of doing business, to follow said policies as they relate to document management (see EOG-26). The extent to which departmental research and development information is stored electronically has vastly increased and will continue to do so. The new Federal rules pertaining to electronic discovery stipulate that substantive email communications constituted "records" under the Federal Records Act. It is therefore the responsibility of each departmental employee to understand their role in communicating via e-mails and that all e-mails must be written/responded to in a professional manner, as outlined in EOG-26.

Qualifications:
 

• 2+ years of controls or automation experience; Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred
• Proficiency in maintaining and troubleshooting automation equipment
• Familiarity with AI-assisted engineering tools (e.g., AI-based code completion, predictive diagnostics, or AI-enabled test automation)
• Experience with project management
• Solid understanding of computer programming and software development
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Creative thinking skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to communicate well with other members of the development team
• Ability to keep up with the latest technologies
• A desire to continually upgrade technical knowledge
• Experience with motion control systems (stepper and servo); familiarity with drive configuration, encoder feedback, and motion profiles (gearing, camming)
• Proficient in blueprint reading, shop math, and use of precision instruments
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering drawings
• Working knowledge of process instrumentation (sensors, transmitters, pressure/flow/temperature devices) and ability to read and interpret P&IDs
• Programming
  • PLC (ladder, structured text, function block diagram)
  • LabVIEW
  • Ignition SCADA (perspective, reporting, Jython, SQL)
  • Text-based scripting language experience (Python, JavaScript, C++, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand, bend, and kneel for extended periods in a laboratory environment
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs unassisted; heavier items with mechanical assistance
• Ability to work in environments with moderate noise levels, temperature variation, and exposure to test fluids or pneumatic systems

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