Controls Hardware Designer II

CONTROLS HARDWARE DESIGNER II – MID LEVEL

Location: Pontiac, MI; Employment Type: Full-time; Pay Type: Non-Salaried; Reports To: Controls Design Manager; Department: Design; Classification: Not Exempt

Gonzalez is a US owned middle market, 300-team member, manufacturing & services company with three North American locations. There are two main divisions of Gonzalez: Gonzalez Production Systems (GPS), which is primarily involved in robotics automation & integration and Gonzalez Contract Services (GCS), which is a staffing company that also does prototype engineering and manufacturing. We value diversity, teamwork, and tradition. Gonzalez offers medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, HSA contribution, 401K profit sharing, and vacation time.

Purpose of Position:

The Controls Designer II produces electrical and fluidic drawings, software code for designs of customer’s equipment, and debugs systems according to customer and internal specifications using various computer programs. Works closely with project managers, engineers, leaders, and other employees to create and improve manufacturing systems, or processes and develop solutions for a wide variety of machines. This position is mid-career in controls design. Candidates will have the ability to produce moderately complex systems with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Hardware Design Responsibilities:
  • Creates electrical controls hardware design per project requirements for various automated and/or manual equipment.
  • Selects and size all components for the electrical system.
  • Responsible for panel design, back panel layout, hardware sizing and power consumption.
  • Perform heat dissipation calculation for the electrical panels.
  • Designs cable tray layout working with Mechanical Design and System Layout team members.
  • Reviews customer specifications and ensures that the system and all components meet customer requirements.
  • Generates pneumatic drawings per project requirements.
  • Generates bill of materials based upon the hardware and pneumatic design.
  • Completes Controls project checklists, Customer to furnish lists, long leads, buyoff books, assessments, etc. related to project specifications within timing constraints.
• General Technical Responsibilities:
  • Ensures that customer / internal requirements, timing, and budgets are achieved or exceeded.
  • Ensures all proper safety, electrical/pneumatic/fluid guidelines are being considered and adhered to.
  • May participates in internal and customer buyoffs related to controls for the project(s).
  • May participate in risk assessments, PFMEA, FMEA, and MFMEA related to project.
  • Assists in quoting upcoming opportunities and or changes to existing projects.
• Task Forecasting: Understands controls design tasks and time to complete those tasks. Proactively communicates issues as they arise to maintain budget, timing, and quality. Communicates progress regularly with controls design leaders/manager.
• Relationship Management: Develops and maintains relations with customers, vendors, project design team, leader, and senior management teams. Communicates with mechanical design regularly for clarification on project requirements.
• Improvements: Suggests and develops improvements to design standards and processes, to aid in increased efficiency, cost, and quality.
• Mentoring: May oversee the controls designers/programmers assigned to the project; train, mentor, motivate, develop, coach team members. Ensure proper understanding of tasks and order of importance is understood.
• Record Keeping: maintains design project records in line with quality and corporate procedures, including hardware drawings, software versions, review signoffs, Design Change Requests, etc.
• Quality: be aware of Quality performance metrics and support continuous improvement. Maintains an understanding of controls design procedures for the department.
• Other: Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in AutoCAD/Auto-Electrical and/or EPLAN Electrical software
• Strong programming skills in RS Logix 5000 and Factory Talk View software.
• Strong Programming skills in STEP 7 TIA Portal
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities
• Solid knowledge of common industry/controls standards (safety, electrical, etc.).
• Strong mathematic, language, and reasoning skills
• Works both independently as well as in a team with all personnel.
• Work on one or more projects concurrently
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Possesses and demonstrates strong organizational skills.
• Proficient with Windows, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Ability to work with and navigate computer filing systems, including the ability to stay organized, archive records, etc.
• Ability to work with and process RIA and OSHA standards regarding industrial tooling design.

Qualified candidates possess:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 3 years relevant experience preferred
  • Experience in industrial automation / automated equipment
  • Experience with industrial Robots and equipment used in automation systems
  • Experience in controls hardware (electrical, pneumatic, fluidic)
  • Experience in Allen Bradley and/or SIEMENS controls systems.
  • Experience with various manufacturing machines and processes used to produce the components designed

Physical requirements (to include but not limited to):

• Ability to sit and move around when required
• Ability to view, crouch, lean, bend, grip, etc. to inspect and diagnose controls content in manufacturing areas
• Ability to lift light loads (under 25 lbs.)
• Ability to wear PPE (when necessary)

Travel Requirements:

May be required to travel to manufacturing facilities, supplier, and customer sites for meetings or to assist in the field check, installation, start-up, and final machine acceptance.

Required Licenses / Certifications:

None, but related certifications are encouraged/considered (GD&T, Cad Systems, Office programs, Safety, etc.)