Automation Technologist

About the Role

Novelis is seeking an Automation Technologist for their Terre Haute team. This role is responsible for optimizing and maintaining the reliability of the plant’s power distribution systems, drives, PLCs, and automation technologies. The Technologist will support capital projects, system upgrades, and new technology implementations.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuously monitor impacted areas for opportunities to improve equipment and process safety, complying with all federal, state, local, and Novelis programs, procedures, and regulations.
• Respond quickly to remove safety detractors reported by others.
• Ensure all engineering design efforts meet applicable standards (e.g., NEC, NFPA, ISO, OSHA, EPA, UL).
• Support the BBS process through active participation and engagement in BBS observations.
• Lead the plant's effort on a Novelis EHS Performance Standard.
• Utilize internal, corporate, and third-party resources to develop engineering knowledge and skills.
• Support Process Center Teams (PCTs) in managing improvement activities aligned with annual and strategic plans.
• Provide leadership and guidance for engineering activities related to PCT improvements.
• Interact with operators, mechanics, electricians, planners, process leaders, shift specialists, and EMRA leaders to ensure the effectiveness of the PM/PdM system.
• Ensure reliability is integral to all projects and process optimization activities.
• Assist the reliability organization in coordinating and performing Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) for significant failures.
• Involve the reliability organization in new projects and changes to existing assets for training, communication, documentation, and PM/PdM creation.
• Assess current assets relative to their lifecycle and capability against the plant's business plan, recommending appropriate equipment changes.
• Evaluate and recommend changes or new technologies to differentiate Novelis in the market through product quality, lead times, cost, environmental footprint, energy consumption, and safety.
• Actively support the annual and five-year capital plan and assigned projects.
• Identify extended education needs for knowledge and skills growth.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to other members of the organization in Engineering Excellence.
• Adhere to and support company quality, environmental, health & safety, and certification standards (e.g., ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, IATF 16949:2016, ASI Certifications).

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Associate Degree in Electrical, Controls, and/or Automation Technology.
• 0-2 years of experience in electrical engineering.
• Effective organizational skills and ability to work with different levels of the organization.
• Excellent leadership skills and good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proficient in computer software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Project.
• Ability to write specifications and facilitate bids from contractors and suppliers.
• Excellent understanding of Rolling Theory and associated process fundamentals, including AFC (automatic flatness control) and AGC (automatic gauge control), and their associated measurement and actuator devices.
• Fundamental knowledge of AutoCad, with the ability to make minor changes to drawings.
• Ability to solve and perform root-cause-analysis on equipment and process issues, specifically in process control related to the rolling process.
• Proficient in level one (1) and zero (0) systems: PLCs, drives, field devices.
• Proficient in software used on level one (1) systems: Visual Basic, C, Labview, Ladder Logic, S7.
• Proficient in operating systems: Windows, Siemens S7.
• Proficient in industrial networks: Ethernet, profibus, reflective memory, serial.
• Proficient in the fundamentals of reliability for establishing appropriate PMs and PdMs for process equipment.
• Understanding of advanced engineering and diagnostic tools: Finite Element Analysis, vibrations analysis, lubrication analysis, FFT.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Electrical, Controls, and/or Automation Engineering with a P.E. certification.
• 5-10 years work experience in electrical engineering within a related manufacturing process.