Hardware Design Manager

Position summary:

Experienced controls hardware engineer responsible for the management and coordination of all assigned projects and other engineering management tasks as assigned by the Director of Design and Hardware Engineering.  This role will ensure the accomplishment of intended functions for larger, more complex system designs and managing project designs that satisfy sales scope, coordinating responsibilities, and managing costs of assigned projects.  This role can be best described as a working manager role with extensive experience and background in designing control systems for material handling and conveyor applications.  This position requires a strong technical knowledge base as well as strong team leadership skill sets.

 

The hardware team is responsible for designing conveyor motor control panels, PLC panels, and associated systems required to control conveyor systems and/or related equipment used in the Material Handling Industry (Freight/Parcel, Baggage Handling, Warehouse Distribution, Automotive, and Manufacturing). This includes power feed calculations, power conduit and wire sizing, permitting processes, 480 volt power schematics, 120 volt control schematics, I/O drawings, field device layouts, PLC layout/design, panel layout/design, panel commissioning and checkout.

 

Tasks:

• Confer with sales engineers, project managers, project team, customers, and others to discuss and understand project specifications, scope, and design requirements.  Aids in building customer relationships.
• Monitors and reports project costs versus project budgets.  Keeps engineering staff and management aware of project cost status.  Manages projects to keep costs in line with project hardware and engineering budgets.
• Prepare detailed drawing sets consisting of conveyor controls layouts, power feed calculations, 480 volt power schematics, 120 volt control schematics, I/O drawings, field device layouts, PLC layout/design, panel layout/design, and other drawings required to implement the project scope as per and ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and customer requirements.
• Prepare specifications for purchase of materials and equipment.
• Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Assist in overseeing the inspection, audit, and test of completed motor control panels for overall sound construction and compliance with all design standards and specifications.
• Travel to customer job-sites as required to discuss current projects and schedules.  Also helps support in some cases sales activity.
• Develop a robust relationship between sales and other functional groups within the organization.

 

Skills & Attributes:

• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.  Strong communication skills.
• Achievement Orientation, a drive for Excellence and a Bias for Action.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Flexibility and Adaptability – Able to work within a fast pace environment with multiple priorities, and multi-task on project work.
• Sound and efficient design abilities.
• Great Attitude, Work Ethic and Common Sense are a MUST.

 

Technical Skills:

• Product Experience – Allen-Bradley discrete products, Rockwell PLCs such as ControlLogix, CompactLogix and operator interface devices, Rockwell, Schneider, and Siemens Variable Frequency Drives.  Siemens, Beckhoff, and Schneider experience is a plus and desired. Motion control design is a plus. Communication bus design experience that includes past experience with ControlNet, DeviceNet, and Profibus. Experience with new standard of Ethernet/IP.
• Computer Aided Drafting Knowledge – Extremely proficient in the use of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical Software.  The ability to use and create custom routines within AutoCAD to help automate repetitive work and to decrease design time.
• Computer Skills – Proficient with Microsoft Office products, Word, Project, and Excel.  Ability to work with and link Excel files within AutoCAD.
• Troubleshooting Skills – The ability to diagnose and solve customer and product related issues. The ability to travel to job-sites, as required, to aid with project installations, and/or troubleshooting.

 

Required Experience And Education: Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, BSEE, or equivalent with over 5 years similar experience and at least 5 years experience with managing and leading teams.