Industrial Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

The Opportunity:

The Automation Engineer is part of Great Lakes' Plant and Equipment Department reporting to the Electrical Engineering Manager. The position is located at our Houston, TX corporate office and will require approximately 50% domestic travel.

The position offers challenge, variety and the opportunity to be involved in a broad range of activities supporting the automation needs of our fleet and operations across multiple project sites. The successful candidate will have excellent analytic skills to translate our dredging process in efficient, reliable and safe automated control systems. Knowledge of or willingness to learn all leading standards for both industrial and maritime automation systems should be considered as obvious. The position will interface and work closely with the Company's Estimating, Mechanical Engineering and Operations groups to assure successful project execution.

About the Company:

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation is the largest provider of dredging services in the United States. In addition, Great Lakes is fully engaged in expanding its core business into the rapidly developing offshore wind energy industry. The Company has a long history of performing significant international projects. The Company employs experienced civil, ocean and mechanical engineering staff in its estimating, production and project management functions. In its over 133-year history, the Company has never failed to complete a marine project. Great Lakes owns and operates the largest and most diverse fleet in the U.S. dredging industry, comprised of approximately 200 specialized vessels. Great Lakes has a disciplined training program for engineers that ensures experienced-based performance as they advance through Company operations. The Company's Incident-and Injury-Free® (IIF®) safety management program is integrated into all aspects of the Company's culture. The Company's commitment to the IIF® culture promotes a work environment where employee safety is paramount.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities encompass everything from process specification to onsite field support. The essential elements of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Translate new and existing dredging processes in functional descriptions.
• Analyze existing and new automation software and research, implement and test improvements.
• Program PLC and HMIs according to approved functional descriptions
• Coordinates with subcontractors and suppliers to meet design requirements of the automation systems.
• Maintain accurate copies of drawings and software in the company's electronic document system.
• Solve automation related problems (either in person or through support of the field technicians).
• Upgrade automation software & hardware to ensure availability of parts & support.
• Coordinates with the site engineering group and IT department on projects requiring joint execution.
• Travels to project locations around the USA to work on assignments as assigned by the Electrical Engineering Manager.
• Maintains records of software versions, modifications, licenses and installations on company vessels.
• Performs on-call work during off-hours as necessary.
• Follows safe and compliant working procedures.
• Provides technical leadership to employees and contractors.

Qualifications:

Professional qualifications for this important position include:

• BS in Electrical Automation with at least 5 years of experience. Proven track record of achievement and advancement.
• Design and Programming experience with PLC systems such as Siemens S7 and Alan Bradley.
• Design and Programming experience with SCADA and DCS based applications. Proficiency in analyzing and describing automation processes.
• Experience with marine based automation systems (alarm monitoring, vessel management systems, dredge management systems, power management systems) is preferred.
• Understanding of the common industrial automation standards and guidelines (i.e. ISA/IEC).
• Excellent project management skills.
• Hands-on experience using drawing design (i.e. AutoCAD) software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to take the initiative, work independently, make decisions and develop recommendations.
• Ability to build strong working relationships both internally and externally.
• Strong organizational and communications kills.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary and bonus program.
• 401(k) program that includes 100% company matching of the first 6% of employee contributions with immediate vesting.
• Annual profit-sharing contributions by the company to participants' 401(k) accounts based on company's annual performance.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, Life and Disability insurance plans.

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexual orie