Senior Controls Engineer

First Quality was founded in 1989 and, in nearly three decades, has grown to be a global privately held company with over 4,000 employees. Its corporate offices are located in Great Neck, New York, with manufacturing facilities and offices in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia, and Canada. First Quality is a diversified family of companies manufacturing consumer products ranging from Absorbent Hygiene (adult incontinence, feminine care, and baby care), Tissue (bath and towel), and Industrial (print and packaging materials), serving institutional and retail markets throughout the world. First Quality focuses on private label and branded product lines.

Our core business philosophy is built on a proud culture driven by safety and quality, respect, humility, integrity, customer focus, and teamwork. With leading edge manufacturing technologies and processes and visionary leadership, First Quality is positioned to continue significant growth in the coming years. We are looking for an experienced Senior Controls Engineer for our state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities located in North Central PA ( McElhattan) .

This position is responsible for specifying, designing, implementing, and upgrading complex controls systems and software programming on production equipment and associated machinery. Provides mentorship and assists Controls Engineers and Technicians in solving complex problems. Will have a direct link to plant performance results through machine improvements and engineering-based upkeep.

General Responsibilities

• Collaborates with internal Engineering Teams, Maintenance and Production personnel, OEMs, vendors, and contractors to design, install, commission, and start up new equipment and process controls. This includes electrical and controls component selection and approval, electrical design approval, software assessments & modifications, machine acceptance testing and problem identification and resolution.
• Responsible for specifying and / or designing DCS’s, PLC’s, HMI’s, servo systems, motors, drives, sensors, vision sensors, and data collection systems based on the FQ controls standards criteria.
• Evaluates electrical equipment from multiple sources and recommends the best solution for use.
• Assesses, designs, and makes complex program modifications in DCS’s, PLC logic, HMI programs and servo controller logic to improve individual equipment and overall system performance.
• Performs high level troubleshooting, in-depth critical thinking, and utilizes all internal & external resources to solve any electrical, mechanical, or process problem. Leads & assists others in troubleshooting equipment, controls components and control programs
• Works with internal MES team to develop and maintain machine data collection within the business.
• Leads small capital projects.
• Keeps abreast of new controls technologies, industry trends, health and safety regulations and standards that affect current operations.
• Proactively identifies opportunities to increase production operation performance. Initiates, leads, and oversees improvement projects through completion.
• Provides technical and operation training to Controls team, Production, Warehouse, and other personnel as needed. Shares knowledge and techniques with team members and coordinates the training of personnel to enhance troubleshooting skills.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency with peers and operations personnel to maintain focused actions.
• Collaborates with Maintenance, Process Engineering, Project Engineering, and Operations to define design requirements, design improvements, and install machinery and upgrades.
• Verifies communication of machine and process changes to all affected team members.
• Supports team with all key initiatives, special projects and provides exceptional customer service.
• Participates, facilitates, and leads communication in group settings and / or meetings.
• Provides direction and assistance as necessary for off shift / afterhours support.

Qualifications / education and experience requirements :

Excellent compensation and benefits, which are effective the first day of employment!

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.