Controls Engineer

Summary:
The main function of a project engineer is to plan, direct, or coordinate activities across engineering-based projects. A typical project engineer is responsible for project design, scope management, cost control, quality, and performance reporting.

Job Description/Skills:

• Proven project management experience.
• People management and team building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible/ adaptable in exercising judgment in a changing environment and to manage competing priorities.
• Advanced knowledge of engineering principles and theory.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to learn business processes quickly and to work well with business partners at different levels within the organization.
• Strong ability to assess risk and apply management principles engineering and business functions.
• Basic ability to work independently and manage one’s time.
• Basic knowledge of production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Basic knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and production methods.
• Basic knowledge of computer software, such as MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Project, Visio etc.

Job Responsibilities:
• Coordinate projects, making detailed plans to accomplish goals and directing the integration of technical activities.
• Develop, track and manages project budget, project plans, timelines, and scope.
• Present and explain proposals, reports, and findings to clients.
• May recruit employees, assign, direct, and evaluate their work, and oversee the development and maintenance of staff competence.
• Analyze technology, resource needs and market demand, to plan and assess the feasibility of projects.
• Manage project resources including procuring project staff, developing, motivating, coaching, and advising
• Partner closely with other members of functional project teams to define business requirements
• Develop product rollout plans and procedures.
• Prepare and present cost-benefit analyses.
• Ensure appropriate project management processes are being utilized.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide training and documentation for global deployment of standard vision systems.
• Educate the regional execution teams
• Provide plant technical support with the development, planning and strategies for maintaining and replacing obsolete equipment.
• Occasional travel required within North America and globally to OEMs and plant sites

• Review manufacturing system requirements and design robust vision applications
• Review OEM camera vision proposals to identify hardware selection, lighting techniques, and best field of view [FOV] strategies
• Be the “voice” of GM Controls Standards Vision Group to ensure OEM develops robust industrial camera vision systems solutions
• Create and document global vision strategy and standards for manufacturing requirements including error proofing, robot guidance and part quality. Develop scalable solution sets.
• Interface with other ME departments and regional automation execution teams to gather feedback and document manufacturing requirements.
• Interface with vision equipment suppliers and vision integration suppliers
• Provide vision system hardware and software designs including vision equipment devices, power distribution, I/O networks, software, and cost estimating tools.
• Ensure vision application designs comply with GM Standards.
• Supervise detailed designs by contractors when necessary.
• Specify vision system components, functional requirements, and integration methods.
• Evaluate and validate new vision technologies for use in manufacturing plants.
• Provide on-site and remote technical support for: plant vision issues, new equipment startup, troubleshooting, reprogramming, diagnostic equipment usage, and interfacing with skilled trades personnel.
• Debug new or existing Matrox and Cognex software
• Support startup of new vision camera systems
• Manage vision camera validation process

 Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field.
• PMI or PMP certification preferred.
• 8-10 years of experience required.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience within Controls Engineer role
• Bachelor’s in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science is preferred
• Ability to Travel up to 25% within the U.S. on an ad hoc basis. Some flexibility based off the contractor’s preference.
• Required – Software and Hardware set up of Industrial Vision Camera Systems such as Matrox [Preferred], Cognex, etc.
• Required- Demonstrated technical prowess in setting up cameras with proper lighting techniques and Hardware selections, i.e.; Filtering, Back-Lighting, Lens Selection, Ring Lights, Proper Light Color/Wavelength Selection, High vs. Low Resolution Cameras

Preferred Qualifications:
• AIA certification
• Experience with the design, build and start-up of manufacturing systems
• Experience with design, set up, and debug of vision systems for error proofing, robot guidance or part quality.
•Experience with General Motors GCA/GCCS vision hardware and software
•Experience with Fanuc IR Vision a plus