Automation Engineer - Life Sciences

Description

Excel Engineering is seeking an Automation Engineer for its Life Sciences division located in our main office in Mounds View, MN. This position will execute projects both independently and in a team structure, delivering engineered industrial control & automation solutions to our clients in support of their manufacturing processes. Knowledge of PLCs, HMI/SCADA, VFDs, P&IDs, Good Manufacturing Practices, and validation workflows within the pharmaceutical/biotech industries is fundamental to this role. This position works closely with other engineers, project managers, vendors, contractors, and client team members in support of both capital and operational improvement projects.

Primary Responsibilities

• Understand client manufacturing processes to support the design of associated control systems and automation integration.
• Develop functional specification and design specification documents for client review and subsequent code development.
• Create programmable logical controller (PLC) programs, HMI applications, and batch recipes from user requirements and functional specifications.
• Perform control system validation based on specification documents and project requirements, either developing and executing directly or as automation support for designated validation resources.
• Develop project scopes and estimates based on discussions with clients. Develop and issue proposals in response to client requests.
• Specify, configure, and commission variable frequency drives (VFDs) based on project scope.
• Design network layout and analyze data traffic and server requirements to support the control system design.
• Perform calculations for power, heat dissipation, wire sizing, fusing, and other activities required for control panel design.
• Delegate and assign work to team members on larger-scope projects and independently execute multiple concurrent small projects as needed.

Requirements

• Engineering degree from an ABET accredited institution or equivalent experience.
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum of (3) or more years' experience as an industrial control systems/automation engineer.
• Knowledge of industrial control system technology including the following:
• Rockwell ControlLogix
• FactoryTalk View SE and ME
• FactoryTalk Batch
• FactoryTalk Historian / AVEVA PI Historian
• Distributed control systems and platforms (e.g. ThinManager, FTDirectory)
• Experience in one or more of the following industries highly preferred: pharmaceuticals, biotech, food and beverage, nutritionals, nuclear, and chemical.
• Process engineering knowledge including PID control, batch manufacturing, and associated process equipment.
• Problem solving skills and ability to assess and overcome challenges and project hurdles.
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Excel Engineering Offers

• Continuing education and on the job training
• Retirement plan- 401(k) matching
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Wellness program
• Paid time off
• Flexible schedule and work environment- Hybrid Work Schedule
• Bonus pay for Overtime

Excel Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance. In our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applicants from populations that are underrepresented in the engineering field to apply. For applicants who need an accommodation to apply, please contact human resources at ExcelHR@exceleng.net.