Process Automoation Engineer (Models)

Basic Job Functions:

The Process Automation Engineer will work alongside the maintenance and operations teams to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the plant. While working as part of the process automation team, the engineer will lead by example with respect to safety, reliability, quality, costs, process improvement, and project management.  The engineer will primarily focus on the optimal performance of the process control systems of their assigned area of responsibility through continual improvement initiatives. The engineer will focus on understanding and improving the core process models as needed for continual process improvement.  The engineer is expected to have some understanding of the underlying technology (i.e. software, communications, databases, etc.) making up the level 1 and 2 systems, but the main focus should be on the sheet steel making process including the mechanical and electrical controls to aid in analyzing and solving process problems.  The engineer should be able to understand how the level 1 and level 2 control systems work together to form the automated control of the process.  When additional technology focused skills are required, the engineer will work with assistance from the Process Automation level 1 and level 2 engineers and the rest of the Nucor team. It should be noted that the level 1 and 2 distinction is in reference to the automation system architecture (see ISA-95 and/or Purdue hierarchy of control) and is not indicative of seniority or degree of responsibility.

The level 1 systems at Nucor Steel West Virginia will consist of different PLCs, HMIs, industrial communication networks, distributed remote I/O, drives and motor controls, hydraulic controls, etc.  In addition to auxiliary controls like hydraulic pump control or product sequencing, the level 1 systems include more complex subsystems such as line tension control, line speed control, mill stand control, furnace control, etc. The level 2 systems at Nucor Steel West Virginia will consist of a wide variety of applications running on a mix of physical and virtual machines using various programming languages.  These applications will store and transfer process data utilizing databases, message queue and direct message communication, generate product setups using physics-based models, perform product setup optimizations, and other duties as assigned. This position may require scheduled and unscheduled overtime. 

Safety is the most important part of all jobs within Nucor; therefore, candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to initiate, lead, and uphold safety policies, practices, procedures, and housekeeping standards at all times.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Four-year degree in Engineering/Computer Science/Mathematics/Physics/Chemistry or related field and/or equivalent experience
• Demonstrable experience to analyze process related problems and propose solutions to address those problems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three years of experience in industrial process control/automation and/or related education
• Ability to apply kinematics, thermodynamics, metallurgical/material science concepts towards process improvement solutions
• Industrial process control/automation equipment upgrade experience
• Experience working in a heavy industrial environment
• Experience working with level 1 automation control systems (e.g. PLCs, drives, HMIs, hydraulic controls) and/or level 2 automation control systems (e.g. system databases, setup models, C/C++/C# applications)
• Experience working in a sheet steel mill
• Experience working with data within SQL databases and other process data acquisition tools (i.e. IBA)