Our site near Culpeper, VA, in beautiful, rural Orange County (1.5 hours from Washington, DC) is growing!  This site is our center of excellence for Solid Rocket Motor Propulsion and Energetics development as well as high-complexity production programs.

Position will work with the manufacturing and facility teams to develop, mature, and transition automation and PLC solutions to improve operations’ capabilities, effectiveness, and employee safety. This role will support developmental and production programs; and requires a motivated, self-starting individual with a passion for technical creativity and the ability to work with others to achieve results. The Controls Engineer will lead solutions through project management activities, requirement development, testing the automation, and transitioning the solution to the production team. Position will specialize in developing controls solutions:

Essential Functions:

• The preferred candidate will be comfortable working with limited instruction, collaborating with a variety of internal stakeholders to gather inputs and design solutions to achieve desired goals and objectives.  Must thrive on taking initiative. Works tactically while also steering projects and initiatives.
• Provides Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) support to lead processes controlled by PLC systems. This includes trouble-shooting problems/issues and programming new applications for the control of manufacturing processes with PLC software using applicable language. Ability to read and generate PLC ladder logic diagrams (input modules, central processing unit, and output modules).

• Conceives and plans projects involving the development and application of controls/automation with input from Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, and Safety, Health & Environment (SH&E) representatives.  Prepares and maintains detailed safe process instructions/planning by following established manufacturing and SH&E procedures.  Participates in proposal and pre-contract activities.
• Interface with internal/external suppliers and customers.  Participate in preliminary and critical design reviews. 
• Assist in preparing for and participate in process and manufacturing reviews.
• Troubleshoot existing systems to resolve issues and recommend updates. 
• Accurately report problems, solutions and results in concise written and oral communications.
• Travel 25 to support suppliers or other manufacturing sites.
• Occasional off-shift and weekend work may be required to support schedules.
• Ability to obtain US security clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior manufacturing experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior manufacturing experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior manufacturing experience.
• 7 years experience as a manufacturing engineer and/or as a PLC programmer.

• 4 years programming Control Systems (PLC, HMI’s).

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Successful implementation of automation, robotics, or other operations/testing solutions required.
• Demonstrated ability in manufacturing required.
• Ability to interpret end item drawings, specifications, and requirements required.
• Project management desired.
• Working with 3rd party integrators desired.
• Programming robotics is desired.
• Developing statements of work and requirements definition is desired.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing principles and statistical process control tools desired.