Automation Engineer

Work Mode: Onsite

Opportunity

As a member of Arkansas Faucet Operations automation team, designs, tests & validates, builds, and commissions to deploy automated equipment to local plant network for the manifesting processes of casting, machining, brazing, assembly and test, and material flow. Focuses on electrical and control system design including sensors, rotary and linear servo axis, PLC, HMI, and fieldbus.
Schematic -- Electrical and pneumatic design capability of manufacturing equipment including control cabinet and field electrical wiring and pneumatic connection. Capability to draw accurately for fabrication is required.

PLC – Programs PLC specified by each operations engineering in a structuralized format that is sustainable by operation engineering. PLC suppliers include but not limited to: Beckhoff, AB, Omron, and Mitsubishi. Completes drive configuration and fieldbus configuration.
Robot/Vision – Simulates robot programs to verify payload, reach, and cycle time during design. Works with mechanical engineer to calibrate robot and vision. Completes robot and vision programs. Trains maintenance crew at each operation on robot safety, teach pedant operation, and PM.
Technical specification -- Specifies electrical components including cable and cable connection. Reviews samples from suppliers. Support Mechanical Engineer or test and validation. Collects quotes from selected suppliers.
Documentation -- Manages all electrical documents through phases of concept review, final review, purchasing, fabrication, and deployment. Provide power consumption, system cost, estimated electrical build and programming time to each operations engineering for capital projects review and approval. Releases schematic and BOM for purchasing and fabrication. Releases recommended spare parts list during deployment.

Specific Responsibilities

•Designs safety circuit based upon safety category determined by EHS. Programs and validates all required safety functions in safety controllers and/or PLCs.
•Works with mechanical engineers and information engineers in the team to ensure the equipment can produce quality products at specified production rate during specified life cycle.
•Works with the product engineer to understand products/packaging design, cost of manufacturing, and time to market. Participate DFM/A review, builds experimental system for automation prototyping before exit DR3, and provides feedback to the product engineer.
•Works with the process engineer to support conceptual design and provide single line diagram and flow chart for concept review. Produces schematic of electrical and pneumatic. Completes sets of 3D visualization, 2D drawings, and BOM with specifications for quote and build. The ability to partner with process engineers to develop concept designs and then work with minimal supervision is required.
•Works with operations engineering to conduct and support pilot run. Completes corrective actions assigned during deployment.
•Works with Purchasing and Supply Chain to select automation suppliers based on their technical proposals, available global technical support and sales network, and prices and lead time of products and services at each region; executes NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) to protect Kohler’s Intellectual properties.
•Applies Sustainability in electrical design to reduce energy and material usages.
•Maintains state-of-the-art awareness of relevant product technologies and continues to improve technical skills.

Skills/Requirements

•Associate’s degree in electrical engineering or manufacturing engineering field.
•Experience and knowledge of NEC code standard, electrical wiring, and PLC diagnostics, PLC programming, Robotics application as it relates to assembly, testing, and material flow is required.
•A bachelor’s degree from an engineering program is a plus.
•Experience of AutoCAD Mechanical and/or Inventor Pro is a plus.

Travel 
Domestic and international travel minimal.

The salary range for this position is $76,050 - $96,050. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.