Senior Controls Engineer - Ripon (Engineering)
An industry leader, The Wine Group is one of the world's foremost producers of award-winning wines across more than 60 wine brands and many winery facilities in California, New York, and Australia. Headquartered in Livermore, California, TWG is an industry innovator when it comes to developing, marketing, and selling wine brands beloved by consumers around the world, including Cupcake, Franzia, Benziger, Imagery, Tribute, 7 Deadly, Cooper & Thief, The Dreaming Tree, Charles Smith Wines, and more. The Wine Group believes in producing wine using sustainable and earth-friendly practices to foster healthy land and agriculture for generations to come. The company demonstrates environmental stewardship through its commitment to clean energy and by ensuring that all its owned vineyards are certified sustainable or biodynamic. To learn more, please visit: www.thewinegroup.com.
JOB SUMMARY
At The Wine Group, the Control Engineers designs, optimizes, and integrates sophisticated control systems, ensuring production efficiency, reliability, and innovation. The Senior Controls Engineer is recognized as a technical leader and authority in controls engineering, blending deep expertise in system design, programming, and optimization with strategic project management and innovation. This role involves leading complex projects from concept to completion, making informed decisions that balance technical and business needs while mentoring junior engineers and fostering collaboration across multidisciplinary teams. With a commitment to exploring new technologies and maintaining a comprehensive understanding of system architecture, the Senior Controls Engineer ensures the delivery of high-quality, efficient control solutions. They play a critical role in shaping organizational standards and practices, influencing decision-making across teams, and driving continuous improvement and excellence within the engineering domain.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Leadership in System Design and Technical Strategy: Serve as a key leader in designing and architecting advanced control systems and solutions for projects of high complexity. Make informed decisions that balance technical challenges and business objectives, setting standards for excellence in system design and software development.
- Advanced Programming and System Integration: Demonstrate exceptional expertise in advanced programming techniques and the integration of complex systems. Go beyond traditional PLC programming to include expertise in performance optimization, system security, and integration testing, ensuring seamless operation across diverse platforms and technologies.
- Strategic Problem-Solving and Innovation: Exhibit strategic problem-solving skills, identifying and addressing complex issues with innovative solutions. Proactively identify new areas of work and lead initiatives to enhance system capabilities, efficiency, and reliability, backed by evidence-based arguments.
- Comprehensive Project Management: Lead projects from inception to completion with a strategic approach, managing all aspects of the project lifecycle. Utilize a deep understanding of business needs and user experience to prioritize tasks and allocate resources effectively, ensuring projects meet strategic objectives.
- Mentorship and Technical Leadership: Act as a mentor and role model to less experienced engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and excellence. Share expertise in technical design, coding best practices, and system optimization, elevating the team's capabilities.
- Collaborative Expertise and Non-Technical Engagement: Work closely with both technical and non-technical team members, providing clear communication and guidance on project requirements, system architecture, and the resolution of technical challenges. Promote a collaborative project environment and contribute to cross-functional understanding.
- Influence on Organizational Standards and Practices: Play a crucial role in shaping the organization's technical standards, best practices, and decision-making processes. Leverage deep domain expertise to influence policies, procedures, and technology choices across teams, driving cohesive and aligned engineering practices.
- Technological Curiosity and Architectural Oversight: Maintain a proactive stance on exploring new technologies and methodologies, understanding their potential impact on existing systems and future projects. Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the overall system architecture, advocating for solutions that enhance scalability, reliability, and performance.
- Quality Assurance and Technical Diligence: Ensure the highest standards of code quality, technical documentation, and system testing. Lead by example in implementing rigorous testing protocols, performance analysis, and quality assurance practices to guarantee the reliability and efficiency of control systems.
- Effective Milestone Management and Delivery: Break down complex projects into manageable phases and milestones, overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of technical work. Ensure timely progress and accurate completion of projects, meeting or exceeding project goals and deadlines.
- This role demands a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, leadership qualities, and a collaborative mindset. The Senior Controls Engineer is not only a technical authority but also a driving force for innovation, quality, and efficiency within the organization, paving the way for future advancements and success in control engineering projects.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Educational Background: A preferred candidate will have a degree in an engineering-related field and 7+ years' experience in the industrial electrical field, focusing on PLC control systems, and demonstrating expertise in electrical design, schematics creation, and panel layout; OR 10+ years of progressively responsible work experience in the maintenance, repair, and installation of electrical systems — including hands-on experience with PLC control systems, electrical design, schematics, and panel layout — reflecting increasing levels of responsibility and technical leadership.
- Proficiency in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs): Mastery in operating, programming, and troubleshooting PLC systems to control and manage equipment and processes effectively. Experience with Rockwell Automation Logix control systems preferred. Proficient in programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining various types of control equipment, including sensors, actuators, and motor drives.
- Software Proficiency: Required proficiency in SCADA/MES systems and experience with visualization and control software, specifically completion of Inductive Automation advanced training. Must have a strong understanding and operational skills in industrial control software, including Rockwell Automation's Logix and View software, are essential. Additionally, proficiency in Python, JavaScript, and SQL programming is required.
- Control System Design and Implementation: Expertise in designing, testing, and implementing control systems to meet specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency. Strong electromechanical aptitude with knowledge of reading electrical and mechanical schematics. Working knowledge of CAD Design systems would be beneficial.
- Instrumentation Installation and Maintenance: Skilled in installing, maintaining, and calibrating instrumentation and control devices, ensuring accurate measurement and control of processes.
- Network Communication and Integration: Proficient in networking concepts and protocols, with the ability to integrate control systems with enterprise networks for data exchange and remote monitoring. Possesses experience and familiarity with various types of networks, including Ethernet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, IO-Link, HART, DH/DH+, and RS232.
- Attention to Detail and Quality Assurance: Keen attention to detail in designing, implementing, and testing control systems, ensuring accuracy, reliability, and adherence to quality standards.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Requires physical fitness for frequent standing, walking, and maneuvering in confined spaces.
- Must lift up to 30 pounds and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and visual precision.
- Use of personal protective equipment in varied environments, including exposure to industrial conditions.
COMPENSATION
- Hiring Salary Range Posted: $120,000 - $180,000.
- Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience; skills, knowledge, and abilities; education; and other position related factors.
At The Wine Group, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristic protected by law.
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