Graham Packaging is a people, planet and values-based company and a leader in sustainable packaging manufacturing. From the kitchen to the laundry room, Graham Packaging is part of your everyday life.

For employees at Graham, our Blue Culture is part of their everyday lives, too. In other words, Blue is how we do things here.

At Graham, we are united by a clear vision. We know our part and help those around us know theirs, encouraging one another to continuously improve. We create a safe, challenging environment to innovate by supporting creative ideas and new ways of thinking. We take the initiative to cultivate our individual growth and help others do the same, while keeping ourselves and one another accountable. And we actively promote cooperation, collaboration, integrity and respect across regions and teams to foster an engaged, diverse and connected workforce.

We value our employees, and a Blue Culture allows for the most rewarding employee experience as part of the Graham family. Blue is how we feel about what we do—together—to create a better tomorrow. Working at Graham means you lead constructively with clear goals, use diverse thinking to drive excellence, accountability, innovation, as well as demonstrating collaboration, embracing learning, and taking action for continuous improvement and growth.

The individual has an advanced understanding of PLC controls systems and will design and apply Graham control technologies for new and existing machinery.  The individual will be responsible for supporting existing equipment by fielding technical support calls from our worldwide network of nearly 100 plant facilities.  Regular travel will be required to plant facilities to start up new equipment, retrofit existing equipment, or provide technical support. This position is based at Graham Packaging’s Global Technology Center in York, PA.

The primary duties of the Automation Engineer include:

• Design electrical control systems for high speed plastic packaging equipment.
• Setup and configure industrial PC’s and PLC I/O.
• Modify existing HMI and PLC software as necessary for job requirements.
• Startup and debug of electrical control systems and machinery
• Lead cross functional problem solving investigations using PDCA Thinking
• Evaluate complex electrical controls issues and define solutions for all Graham facilities.
• Evaluate plant feedback to recognize continuous improvement opportunities and provide feedback for technical innovations.
• Develop and generate bills of material for manufacturing of electrical control panels.
• Develop and generate electrical schematics using AutoCAD.
• Develop necessary documentation for construction of electrical control panels and coordinate construction of these panels with electrical panel vendors.
• Develop and improve “Standard Operating Procedures” as they apply to the execution of various automation projects.
• Develop sensors and software on existing machinery that will record and analyze machine operational parameters and translate that knowledge into stable, repeatable and capable manufacturing processes
• Travel to plant facilities for new machine startup, retrofitting of old control systems, or troubleshooting support.
• Provide phone and internet troubleshooting support for machine controls at existing plant facilities
• Provide advice and guidance to less experience team members.
• 25 to 50 percent travel will be expected

Core Proficiencies and Skills

The following skills and proficiencies are desirable for the position:

• Advanced knowledge of electrical control systems
• Strong organizational and project management skills for mid-size to large projects
• Strong communication skills
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills
• Advance knowledge of hydraulics and electro / mechanical systems
• Advance knowledge of PID control (functionality and tuning)
• Advance knowledge of AC and DC drives
  • Yaskawa
  • ABB
  • Emerson
  • Siemens
  • Bardac
• Advance PLC programming experience.
  • Beckhoff
  • B&R
  • Allen Bradley
  • Automation Direct
  • Siemens
• Advance HMI programming experience
  • Indusoft
  • Wonderware
  • Allen Bradley
  • Ignition
• Knowledge of servo drives and controls
• Experience with AutoCad or 2D schematic CAD software
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA70Em and UL508A as well as best practices for control panel design
• Proficient in Factory OT

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• BS degree in Electrical or Controls Engineering
• 5 years experience with electrical machine controls in a manufacturing environment or deployment of machine control systems

The expected salary range for the position described in this posting is made in accordance with the legal mandates of certain jurisdictions within the United States. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on individual qualifications and experience.

Benefits include medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in the company’s 401K Employee Saving Plan and may participate in its Employee Wellness Program. Employees will also receive paid time off in accordance with company policy and state law requirements.

Graham Packaging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, religion, creed, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.