Automation Specialist Job Description
The Automation Specialist is responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting automated machinery.
They will be part of designing new equipment, programming, simulating, and testing automated machinery and processes to complete exact tasks.
The automation specialist will be involved with reading and understanding schematics for automation components and ability to use CAD software and analyze production processes to assess automation's best use.
They will manage supply chain issues and perform regular maintenance on automation equipment, performing repairs, and troubleshooting when necessary.
The automation specialist will ensure that requirements for quality assurance and machine operation are met and regularly calibrate and repair equipment.
They will analyze production processes and develop automation solutions to support business process and machine efficiency overall.
Key Responsibilities:
* Work on custom automation solutions, introducing new & transfer equipment through validation & into a controlled production environment.
* Assist and perform FAT/SAT at automation vendors.
* Carry out full validation IQ/OQ/PQ & handover to production of new automation equipment.
* Write validation reports as per defined protocols.
* Isolate, replicate, and report defects to the relative teams.
* Implement improvements with measurable results in savings, revenue, or quality.
* Program, configure, and integrate new equipment into existing systems.
* Assist Engineer and support to fellow team members.
* Provide technical support and training to other department resources.
* Assist in the development of internal training programs, activities, and initiatives.
* To include cost evaluation and return on investment (ROI) estimates.
* Verify accuracy of energy monitoring, energy reports, and calibration procedures.
* Complete all work each day in a safe manner.
* Assist in planning, organizing, monitoring, and oversight of all phases of test automation.
* Prepare reports summarizing information or trends related to automation.
* Maintain correct stock levels of repair or replacement parts.
* Develop and document process for internal automation and development projects.
* Actively support/solve intensified issues from both internal and external customers.
* Actively participate in design and code reviews from functional teams.
* Actively work with the customer to optimize the automation performance to deliver contracted KPIs.
* Assist in scheduling and defining resource needs.
* Lead the auditing of all current processes to identify opportunities for further automation.
* Develop and execute performance test scripts specific to the product needs.
* Take lead in developing resilient continuous integration and delivery automation pipelines.
* Perform/lead test execution for both project and support related activities.
* Travel to automation vendors.
Requirements:
* Proficiency in maintaining automation equipment
* Experience with robotics, AI, machine learning & vision systems
* Solid understanding of computer programming and software development
* Design & migration - Ability to troubleshoot equipment and perform complex system tests, alongside simulating protocols to validate that the machinery can do what it has been designed for
* Strong leadership and 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
* Excellent manual dexterity
* Extensive stakeholder management and collaboration both internally and externally
* Continual process improvement
* Technical report writing
* Technical mentorship & training
* Ability to keep up with the latest technologies
* A desire to continually upgrade technical knowledge
* Exploring and implementing new ways to automate systems
* Programming new automated components - planning and constructing systems that can monitor and control physical processes, control circuits, networked systems, sensors/actuators etc
* Understanding of coding and programming
* Identifying quality issues and writing reports
* Eliminating defects and errors with product and software development
Education and Experience:
* Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, computer science or similar field
* 5+ years previous experience in an automation role (preferably within injection moulding)
* Strong understanding of various automation tools - controls, computers, measurement sensors, actuators, automation testing software
* Previous project administration/management an advantage
* Validation experience required
* Experience with PLC, Agile, HMI, APIs, and SQL software and systems
* Experience with cloud, Python, SCADA, C, and JAVA software and systems