Automation - Controls Engineer

Job Description: Reports to: Controls Engineer Manager
Salary; $90k-$120K Exempt

Company Description JT Automation, LLC is an engineering firm specializing in industrial automation and controls solutions for a wide range of manufacturing and processing environments. The company focuses on designing, implementing, and supporting reliable control systems that improve productivity, safety, and efficiency. JT Automation, LLC partners closely with clients to understand their operational needs and deliver tailored automation projects from concept through commissioning. Team members work with modern technologies and industry-standard tools, contributing to projects that have a direct impact on clients' performance and growth.
Role Description: the Automation - Controls Engineer is a full-time, on-site role based in East Granby, CT. This role is responsible for developing control systems for industrial machinery, including selecting suitable control hardware, generating schematics, fabricating control electronics, and developing machine code and user interfaces for PLC and PC-based systems. Ability to create and edit/revise existing ladder logic and procedural programming. Work with the mechanical design team to ensure smooth interfacing between mechanical, electrical, and software systems. Work with the technical writer to develop documentation of software for users by performing the following duties.

Duties and Responsibilities include the following.

Works with mechanical and process engineers, as well as customers to understand control system and machine requirements.
Selects suitable controls hardware within the constraints of cost, capability, and customer requirements.
Generates a complete control system schematic in SolidWorks Electrical.
Creates, tests, and debugs industrial control software written in a variety of standard languages such as Ladder Logic, VB.NET, and C#, as well as hardware-specific languages such as Aero Basic.
Modifies pre-existing software after careful study of the new requirements and existing hardware, electronics, existing software.
Designs and develops functional user interfaces using VB.NET, C#, or dedicated UI hardware and software, including Siemens and Allen Bradley platforms.
Documents all code for future review and revision.
Works with other engineers and writers to prepare customer-ready documentation of software features.
Works and communicates with hardware original equipment manufacturers to interface with their provided application program interfaces.
Assists mechanical and electrical engineers with control system development issues.
Works one-on-one or in groups with customers to provide training and support.
Assists with the fabrication of control panels and enclosures.
Develops machine vision programs and strategies.
Assists with mechanical assembly.
Develops desktop software when CoTS solutions do not exist.
Develops plug-ins and interfaces to allow easy communication with minimally supported hardware.

The duties and responsibilities as described above may be supplemented by other duties needed to help drive our organization's Vision and Core Values.
Required Qualifications:

Ability to understand and create code in a variety of languages including VB.NET and Ladder Logic.
Experience with control system development on Siemens PLC platforms.
Ability to design and program effective and ergonomic user interfaces.
Ability to communicate effectively with other employee's, production workers, customers, and vendors.
Highly motivated to adapt to situations requiring multi-disciplinary thinking.
Self-sufficient and independent work style with general supervision.
Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, controls engineering, robotics engineering, or equivalent.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with control system development on Siemens motion control platforms, such as the 840D.
Experience with Allen Bradley PLC and motion control solutions.
Experience with multi-threaded desktop programming.
Knowledge of industrial control communications such as Profibus, ProfiNet, TCP/IP, Serial, and EtherCAT.
Knowledge of Aero Basic and Aerotech-based programming.
Knowledge of G code.
Experience with a variety of industrial controls vendors such as Siemens, Automation Direct, Aerotech, SMC, Keyence, etc.
Some mechanical design background/understanding.
Five (5) years of experience with control systems.
Familiarity with laser systems and/or motion systems.

Language Ability:
Read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Math Ability:
Apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Physical Demands:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and ability to see color.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to non-ionizing laser radiation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is JT Automation's policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race/color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, or other characteristic protected by law.'