Senior Controls Engineer (Ignition Specialist)

Factory Technologies, Inc., a Systems Integrator located in Modesto CA., is currently seeking to hire a Sr. Controls Engineer (Ignition Specialist). This position requires development work within an office environment and support at client sites.  This is not a remote role and is based in Modesto, CA.

Along with the traditional controls engineer technical skills, as a member of the FTI team, you will be most successful with the following non-technical skills/traits:

• Communication, communication, communication
  
  
  
  • All team members need to strive for excellent communication skills; oral, written and listening.
  
  
  • Discuss task/milestone/project successes, failures, roadblocks with your team.
  
  
  • Let the team know of unexpected changes to the project and/or personal life schedule – as soon as you can. Text, phone, email – whatever it takes.
  
  
  • Let the team know of unexpected changes to the scope of work.
  
  
  • Provide daily updates on progress. Know your audience and cater your updates accordingly.
  
  
  • Feedback – ask for it and provide it respectfully.
  
  
  
  


• Sharing/collaboration – share your time, your skills and the information you have gathered over the years. As a senior engineer, you will be expected to support/develop/lead/mentor junior engineers, drafter’s, shop personnel and new employees.


• Focus – support others when needed and allow others to focus on their tasks as needed.


• Be curious, not judgmental – ask questions to get details.


• Adaptability/flexibility – the controls systems integrator world is fast paced and changes regularly. Team members need to be able to change directions routinely.


• Problem solving/critical thinking – senior team members are key to solving problems whether they be technical or other. 


• Repeatability/scalability – think about the work you’re completing and how it may be reused and/or scaled for the future. Reuse existing work where appropriate.


• Self awareness – understand where you’re at and what your strengths/weaknesses are.


• Empathy – put yourself in someone else’s shoes before judging. All engineers find mistakes in others work. Remember that others will find mistakes in your work too.


• Active Listening – listen with the intent to understand, not just to react/respond.


• Conflict resolution – support reducing inevitable tensions both internally and externally.


• Resilience – some days can be difficult. Some projects can be difficult.  Remember that those difficult times are temporary.


• Take care of yourself – everyone is different and you will be supported to avoid burnout. You need to be your own gatekeeper and communicate issues, goals and needs.


• Participate – improvements can only be made with participation. Without participation, everything else is just complaining.


• Time Management/prioritization – senior team members take on a lot of work and can be asked to be in two places at once. Prioritizing can be a daily challenge. Communicate your issues and come to the table with a proposed solution.
  

Sr. Controls Engineers are most successful in this role when they have the following “traditional” skills:

• 3-5 years’ experience with Ignition development


• Ignition Gold certified (strongly preferred)


• Experience in Ignition 7.9 – 8.3


• Variety of experience – i.e. PLC experience (primarily Allen Bradley), SQL databases, Python, Java, Process automation, Network IT/OT convergence.


• BS in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics engineering, Computer Science degree or 10+ years equivalent relevant industry experience


• Expert in PLC/HMI programming and systems integration in industrial applications using various Allen-Bradley, GE and Siemens platforms.


• Strong competency in using Rockwell Automation products, WonderWare and Inductive Automation HMI/SCADA software.


• Must be able to read and generate P&ID’s, flow diagrams and electrical schematics.


• Advanced knowledge of networking and communication protocols, such as but not limited to, EtherNet, Asi, Modbus, IO-Link, ControlNet and DeviceNet.


• Complete projects within budget


• Have a working knowledge of AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical and/or ePlan.


• Identify control system components and use a bill of materials to meet project requirements adhering to UL 508A, IEEE and NEC standards.


• Support and/or create project cost estimates.


• High level knowledge of process instrumentation.


• High level knowledge of programming and configuring Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)


• Excellent communication skills; oral, written and listening.


• High level knowledge of, or interest in, mechanical systems and manufacturing equipment.


• Must be able to work unsupervised and as part of a team as required.


• Flexibility when required to work outside of normal business hours as required by client’s needs.


• General knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).


• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean DMV record.
  

And finally…

• The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary offer, including medical and dental benefits, 401K with company contributions and vacation/holiday pay. 


• Work from home opportunities will be available during the core development phase of a project. When not at customer sites or working from home, employees report to our Modesto, CA office.