My role as an Automation Engineer is to provide our customers with pre and post sales support for our specialty and high tech product lines. I am charged to continually work to become the “local expert” on a specific group of products and services. To achieve the knowledge level needed, I receive continuous factory training and support. I act as the local conduit to each manufacturers business unit and share and communicate field successes, product concerns, quality issues, new uses and potential design improvements.

Working for the Solar Solutions group, my role involved developing manufacturing processes and approving equipment for the production of Dow's leading edge Solar Shingle.As a team member of the Process Automation Technical Center my area of expertise focused on machine controls of the packaging area. The scope of this included approval of electrical drawings, software analysis, machine acceptance, and production support.Also, I was involved with the utilities system for the new production facility that included developing a controls architecture, hardware procurement, and software programming for the plant utility control system.

As a member of the Central Process Engineering department of this automotive component supplier, my responsibilities concentrated on future technology and development of manufacturing processes. Tasked with improving traceability methods, I researched and developed methods for direct part marking and associated hardware, communications, standard hours, and costs.My duties also included procurement of manufacturing assembly equipment including writing technical specifications, vendor analysis, budget adherence, and project completion including design approval, run-off, production startup, and support.

With this automation equipment manufacturer, my initial responsibilities included hardware design such as detailing, electrical calculation, safety studies, material selection, and procurement. This also included software design, machine startup and troubleshooting, and final installation of the equipment domestically and internationally. My experience ranged from small assembly and test stations to large automated electrified monorail assembly lines.With a promotion to Controls Group Leader, my job function increased to include controls-related project management. This included managing design, software, or startup engineers. I was responsible for proper utilization of the project budget, schedule, forecasting and reporting directly to the project manager.