Senior Controls Systems Software Designer

Total Compensation & Benefits

• Pay Rate: $42.31 - $58.17
• Eligible for Annual Incentive Bonus
• Stock Purchase Plan
• 3 Weeks Vacation
• Health Care Benefits + $600 Health Care Spending Account
• Employee Engagement Events (Employee BBQ’s and lunches, weekly treat day, etc.)
• Employee Development Programs

Major Duties

As a member of a highly motivated, multidisciplinary team, you will design and develop world-class automation solutions while planning and leading projects with full responsibility for project teams, schedules, milestones, and budgets. The role involves contributing to machine concepts, designing and integrating control software with electrical and mechanical systems, and mentoring junior controls team members. You will support process development and machine installation at customer sites worldwide, working with leading-edge technologies such as PLCs, PCs, robotics, motion controllers, vision systems, lasers, and other controllers, including programming PLCs to interface with SCADA systems like Ignition, ATS SAMS, and ATS Test Executive.

Specific Responsibilities

• Design and develop software programs (PLC and/or PC based) specific to customer and project requirements based on standard ATS programming methods (ATS Global Code Standard)
• In depth programming in environments mainly using PLC Ladder logic (Rockwell / Siemens platforms), and structured test (i.e. shell scripting, Visual Basic, C#, Python)
• Ability to reverse-engineer and write PLC code from scratch
• Select, test and integrate hardware and software components such as robots, I/O, analog devices, motion controllers, sensors, vision systems and lasers.
• Debug and commission control systems at our facility, during the system integration stage and then at the customer’s site during installation. Travel to both domestic and international customer locations for SAT (up to 20% travel per year)
• Work with other members of the control systems design department and other groups to continuously improve methods of integrating controls technology, with the goals being enhanced safety, enhanced functionality and reduced cost.
• Work with customers, project managers, designers, toolmakers and electricians to solve problems to provide the customer with a complete, functional automation system.
• Provide thorough testing of machine functionality to verify software program completeness.
• Provide accurate documentation for each project and training specific to their current project (i.e. machine operation, programming principles and program structure).
• Advise customer on solving technical problems as a Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Improve the knowledge and capability of other members of the department through mentoring. Responsible for meeting Team Member level KPIs as assigned. (Budget, Schedule, Quality, CI)
• Assist with the Team Leader’s responsibilities during their absence and periodically supervise the software development and integration effort on at a team level delegating tasks to a team of people.
• Responsible for communicating time estimates and resource requirements on controls tasks to the Team Leader and at times the Project managers.
• Ensure that all business activities are performed with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with the ATS Code of Business Conduct.

Qualifications

Education:

• A post-secondary degree specializing in Mechatronics, Systems, Electrical or Computer Engineering.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience programming Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human/Machine Interfaces (HMI) using Allen Bradley (Rockwell Studio 5000 Logix Designer) or Siemens (TIA Portal) software
• 3 years of experience in a hands-on automation/controls environment working on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) systems
• Proficiency in understanding programs written in structured test (i.e. Visual Basic, C#, Python, languages). Strong programming, mechanical and electrical problem-solving skills.
• Experience with configuration/troubleshooting of instrumentation (power supplies, meters, sensors, safety switches, etc.) using vendor software and interfaces
• Experience working in Just-In-Time environments and on mission critical systems
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Understanding of robotics, control systems and machine operation with hands-on experience is required
• A self-starter with the ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.

Health & Safety Requirements