Automation and Instrumentation Engineer

As an Automation and Instrumentation Engineer at our company in Petersburg, VA, you will lead initiatives to improve HMI and enhance automation stability. You will work on identifying opportunities for increased throughput, developing alarm reporting systems, and conducting failure analysis for operational issues. Additionally, you’ll have the chance to collaborate closely with production and maintenance teams to ensure continuous equipment operation.

To qualify for the Automation and Instrumentation Engineer role in Petersburg, VA, candidates should possess a BS degree in Electronics, Networking, Automation, or Electrical Engineering, or equivalent work experience. We expect at least 5 years of relevant experience, with a preference for those with a steel industry background. Strong knowledge of AC/DC controls, PLC programming, and troubleshooting skills are also essential.

Candidates for the Automation and Instrumentation Engineer position should be proficient in using MS Office, SAP, IBA, and CAD. Additionally, familiarity with advanced programming tools such as GE Innovation Series Controllers, Siemens S7/TIA, and networking configurations including Cisco switching is highly beneficial for this role in Petersburg, VA.

The Automation and Instrumentation Engineer position in Petersburg, VA, offers a competitive salary range from $80,000 to $120,000, depending on your experience. This compensation reflects our commitment to attracting top talent and rewarding expertise in the field.

The Automation and Instrumentation Engineer should have strong troubleshooting skills to diagnose equipment problems effectively. This includes performing complex system tests, translating operator requests into actionable tasks, and providing solutions for operational challenges. Your ability to communicate effectively with teams will greatly support your troubleshooting efforts.

In your response, focus on specific examples where you successfully programmed PLCs, detailing the systems you worked with and the outcomes of those projects. Highlight your understanding of logic and how it applies to automation processes.

Discuss your methodical approach to troubleshooting, such as starting from basic checks to complex system tests. Mention any tools or software you use to assist in your troubleshooting process and how you document your findings.

Share specific instances of HMI enhancements you've led or contributed to, focusing on the challenges faced and the results. Highlight how these improvements helped optimize operations and facilitated operator efficiency.

Explain your prioritization process, which might include assessing project deadlines, resource availability, and business impact. Provide examples of how you managed competing priorities successfully in the past.

Use the STAR method to structure your answer. Describe the situation, the task at hand, the action you took to implement improvements, and the measurable outcome of those actions.

Talk about specific software development projects you've worked on, what programming languages you used, and how these efforts contributed to more effective automation solutions.

Highlight your communication skills and adaptability when working across different teams. Mention a specific collaboration example that led to successful problem-solving or project completion.

Discuss how effective alarm reporting can enhance operator response times, improve safety, and reduce downtime. Provide examples of how you’ve developed or optimized alarm reporting in the past.

Outline the issue, your analytical approach to solving it, and the final resolution. Highlight any tools you used and how your solution improved operations thereafter.

Stay updated with industry trends, such as advancements in AI within automation, IIoT solutions, or new programming methodologies. Discuss how you believe these trends could influence productivity and innovation in your company.