Senior Controls Engineer
Celgard, LLC

The Asahi Kasei Group operates with a commitment of creating for tomorrow. Our business sectors, Material, Homes, and Health Care, contribute to the development of society by anticipating the changing needs of those around the world. We look for candidates that offer a fresh perspective and a variety of skills to help us achieve our commitment.

We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Celgard where we develop and manufacture membrane battery separators that are critical components used in lithium-ion batteries for electric drive vehicles (EDVs) and energy storage systems (ESS).

Company:
Celgard, LLC

Job Description:

Senior Controls Engineer

Celgard - Concord, NC

About Us

For more than 50 years, Celgard has been a proven global leader in the development and production of high-performance membrane technology. Our products are used in a broad range of energy storage and other barrier-type applications, including lithium-ion batteries, lithium primary and other specialty battery solutions, technical textiles such as waterproof breathable apparel and medical personal protective equipment (PPE) and other specialty applications. Headquartered in the United States, we operate manufacturing facilities in the USA and China and have sales and technical service staff located strategically throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.

Celgard is part of Polypore International, a leading global high technology company specializing in microporous membranes. Polypore brings advanced development and manufacturing know-how as well as unique problem-solving capabilities to customers' lithium-ion and lead-acid battery development teams. Polypore is an Asahi Kasei Group company, which is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. We are creating for tomorrow!

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to be a part of the Maintenance team based in Concord, NC. The Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for installing, modifying, and servicing process control systems throughout the facility as well as providing electrical engineering support that consist of electrical designs and drawings. He/she will work in a high performance, team-centered work environment to support operations, engineering, and maintenance by driving continuous improvement in the automation and control of the manufacturing processes as well as providing electrical engineering. Will utilize data management skills, PLC (Programmable Logic Control) skills, electrical engineering, and general troubleshooting skills to solve complex manufacturing processes, create enhancements to the process control systems, and provide electrical design solutions. Will assist with programming and installing of new equipment during start-up.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the Plant Maintenance Manager title here and does not supervise others.

Asahi Kasei's Values

• Sincerity - Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge - Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity - Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities

• Support equipment installation and modification in coordination with Project and Process Engineering initiatives.
• Provide day-to-day support for all software and hardware that comprise the plant control network including: PLC's, drives, switches, routers, PC diagnostic and repair, network IP, and industrial communication protocols.
• Work closely with Manufacturing Technicians, Process Engineers, Project Engineers, and I&E (Instrumentation & Electrical) Technicians to provide advice and support, help diagnose PLC system and process issues, provide electrical design solutions, and lead troubleshooting efforts related to these systems.
• Work with vendors of PLC hardware/software & SCADA software to troubleshoot and enhance the performance of equipment.
• Work with suppliers of related instruments & electronic equipment related to the PLC equipment. Contact suppliers to clarify performance and application of PLC equipment, instruments, drives, and other equipment that is part of the control systems.
• Work with SCADA supervisory systems to analyze process data and create process trend graphs.
• Set up, modify, and analyze alarm & event display and archiving.
• Participate on cross-functional continuous improvement teams. Lead and execute improvement projects to the automation & electrical systems. For larger projects using external resources, act as the plant automation liaison.
• Maintain compliance with all plant safety systems and policies, and applicable laws/regulations.
• Utilize lean manufacturing methodologies and problem solving/troubleshooting tools to identify root cause of problem areas in Process Control code, Operator Interface, or hardware and effectively resolve these problems with team member input. Specific troubleshooting and optimization activities will include reducing alarms and unplanned events, minimizing elements in manual, tuning controllers, evaluating the impact of automation systems on plant operability issues, participating in Root Cause Investigations, and utilizing tools such as SPC for optimizing plant Process Control systems.

Qualifications

Education Background:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or other related technical field.

Knowledge & Experience:

• Minimum of 4-6 years' experience with Rockwell (Allen Bradley) PLC programming & software analysis in a manufacturing environment
• In-depth experience installing and supporting industrial control systems and control networks including: PLC's, drives, switches, routers, PC diagnostics and repair, network IP, and industrial communication protocols
• Proficiency with the following control methodologies required: PID loop configuration and analysis; sequential programming; temperature, pressure, and motor speed control
• Highly proficient with the following software is required: RS 5000, RS500, and Panel builder
• Experience programming and supporting the following platforms is preferred: Mitsubishi PLC's; Rockwell GuardLogix; Wonderware or demonstrated ability on other high-level scripting language.
• Advanced I&E skills -- Capable of using troubleshooting tools and techniques for diagnosing industrial machinery instrumentation. (i.e., Working knowledge of thermocouples, RTDs, pressure and flow transmitters, loops, SCRs and SSRs, encoders, ultrasonic sensors, limit and proximity sensors. Able to troubleshoot wiring from schematics and P&ID. Able to use multi-meters, amp meters, Fluke calibrator, oscilloscope, pressure calibrator, temperature bath)
• AutoCAD experience
• Able to read & edit P&ID drawings
• Able to write technical communications including electrical and control drawings
• Able to perform drive configurations and communication protocols associated with drive systems; troubleshoot drive systems

Key Attributes:

• Able to work independently under limited supervision, and provide direction/leadership to others in automation tasks/projects
• Strengths in organization and motivation
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
• Strong analytical skills to analyze process performance and recommend changes
• Able to provide electrical and control design solutions for complex projects

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 10% for domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations

Working Environment

This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals. Work will require standing and walking for up to 50% of the time. Lighting and temperature are adequate. You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or force necessary to push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Celgard manufacturing sites are IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified.

Location Information

Concord is part of the Charlotte metro area. Charlotte, NC, known as the Queen City, is a thriving metropolitan area of over 2.6 million people across 15 counties and is situated just north of the South Carolina border, within a weekend drive to the mountains and the beach. It is comprised of diversity in people, industries and living, from urban to rural. It is ranked second among 25 largest cities for most desirable place to purchase a home by Nerdwallet.com and is ranked eight among the top 10 big booming cities by CNNmoney.com. Charlotte is home of one of North Carolina's largest college campuses, UNC Charlotte. Along with a friendly southern culture, Charlotte offers dining, arts, museums, major league basketball, football and soccer teams, a minor league baseball team, NASCAR, shopping, festivals, a variety of amenities and quick access to several parks and reserves for people who love the outdoors.

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As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei believes a diverse workforce will provide us with the ability to continuously support the changes in the economy, society, and environment.

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