A Manufacturing Automation Engineer designs, programs and improves automated machinery and processes within a manufacturing environment. Are responsible for the design specifications, documentation and troubleshooting of the equipment. Often work within vehicle manufacturing and food processing plants, where robots or machines are used to perform specific functions.
Manufacturing Automation Engineer job description focuses on system integration, SCADA, and bridging the gap between shop-floor controllers and enterprise databases Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Automation Engineer to design, integrate, and troubleshoot plant-floor control systems. This role focuses on bridging multi-vendor PLCs with enterprise IT systems. You will design and deploy robust OPC architecture, manage bi-directional data flow into MES databases, and optimize PLC logic to ensure maximum OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) Key Responsibilities •
OPC UA & Connectivity Configuration:
Architect and configure reliable data pathways using Kepware OPC Server. Establish secure, high-performance OPC UA connections between shop-floor controllers and supervisory or enterprise systems. •
Database & Transaction Management:
Architect and maintain bi-directional data exchanges between manufacturing machinery and corporate IT databases (e.g., MS SQL) using FactoryTalk Transaction Manager (formerly RSSql). •
PLC Programming & Troubleshooting:
Program, modify, and troubleshoot industrial controllers, specifically Siemens PLCs (S7-1200/S7-1500 using TIA Portal) and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix/CompactLogix using RSLogix 5000/Studio 5000). •
HMI/SCADA
Development:
Design and deploy operator interfaces and supervisory monitoring systems, utilizing platforms like Siemens WinCC and Rockwell FactoryTalk View. •
System Integration & Commissioning:
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams (MES, Operations, Quality, IT) to integrate new automated machinery. Map out tag databases, troubleshoot communication bottlenecks, and ensure data integrity across all system levels (MES) Qualifications & Technical Skills •
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or equivalent technical discipline. •
Experience:
3+ years of hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial PLCs in a manufacturing or production environment.
Platform Expertise:
oAdvanced proficiency with Siemens (TIA Portal, STEP 7) and Rockwell/Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000, RSLogix) platforms. o Deep working knowledge of Kepware KEPServerEX configuration and OPC UA security protocols. o Hands-on experience with FactoryTalk Transaction Manager and standard relational databases (SQL).
Communication Protocols:
Thorough understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols, including
Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, and OPC UA Years of Experience:
