Controls Engineer

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer for our First Quality Products facility located in McElhattan, PA. This position is primarily 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.

Principal Accountabilities/ 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

• Ability to lead small capital projects

• Expected to keep 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.

• Drives a zero-loss time mentality with team through continuous improvement practices. Keeping safety as the priority when making decisions.

• Provide direction and assistance as necessary for off shift/afterhours support.

Education and experience requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in the following degrees or related degrees: Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering.

• Can create and modify schematic drawings using AutoCAD software.

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience with Industrial Controls Systems. Advanced knowledge of electrical theory and principles of operation.

• Advanced knowledge of PLC based hardware and software (Rockwell and Siemens), Servo Control, and HMI.

• Knowledge of Mechanical, Pneumatic, and Hydraulic systems

• Formal Training in Functional Machine Safety and proper safe machine design through Safety Risk Assessment.

• Knowledge or formal training in Security in Automation (ISO 62443)

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt (preferred but not required)

• Root Cause Analysis Experience (preferred but not required)

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, computer skills, reasoning, and mathematical skills

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills

• Strong experience with Microsoft Office (specifically Outlook & Excel)

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment

Work Environment/Physical Requirements 

• Will be regularly exposed to work near electrical & mechanical parts/machines.

• May be regularly exposed to high noise environments.

• May be exposed to dust during certain tasks.

• Must be able to work overtime and weekends as needed to include being on call.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities

• Paid time off (three-week minimum)

• Medical, dental and vision starting day one

• 401(k) with employer match

• Paid parental leave

• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)

• Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)

• Tuition assistance

• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums

• ...and more!