Simulation Operations Specialist Jobs in Minnesota

Job Title: Specialist Technician - Automation

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Fleet Operations

Reports to: Assistant Manager, Automation Systems

General Description / Purpose: 

Provide field support to Lease Operations, R&D, and OEM Customers around the world.  Serve to focus efforts toward coordination and fulfillment of successful field operations tests while maintaining customer needs and minimizing interference with daily operations. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

Communication 

• Demonstrate individual discretion in decision-making when advising customers on warranty claim matters and defining criteria for the safe operation of equipment. 

• Contribute to building excellent company/customer working relationships. 

Leadership  

• Lead up to 12 people to safely complete upgrade and overhaul projects involving programming, electrical, and fluid power tasks.  Provide work direction to operators in conducting technical repairs. 

• Assist, train, and observe Field Technician performance for use in evaluations as related to job performance. 

• Schedule machine Technician visits using EAM work order system or by using a generated Technician list from machine Managers. 

Operational Excellence 

• Apply advanced knowledge to utilize Rockwell Automation software to read PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) and HMI (Human Machine Interface) software as well as electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics to troubleshoot equipment problems to ensure maximum productivity and safe operation of specialized railroad equipment. 

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair problems with machine control systems that include device-level networks such as Ethernet TCP/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP-IP, J1939, CAN Bus, RSNetworx for ControlNet, and RSNetworx for DeviceNet to assist in reducing equipment downtime. 

• Responsible for diagnosing problems, estimating repair costs, ordering parts, minimizing re-work, proper use and care of tools and equipment, on-the-job safety practices, and proper job documentation, including technical report writing. 

• Design, develop, and deliver both classroom and on-the-job training for internal and external customers that incorporate electronic media presentations and hands-on simulations. 

• Complete projects accurately to specifications within performance standard guidelines as set by Loram: repair time, quantity of repairs/labor efficiency, and other measures. 

• Analyze key performance indicators and interpret historical data systems’ performance to identify, recommend, and implement design changes and modifications that reduce life-cycle costs, improve machine productivity, and/or enhance the safety of personnel or the environment. 

• Has the ability and desire to approach technical education as a life-long process to stay current in the field, including PLC Programming, Power and Controls Systems, Laser Measurement Technology, Industrial Computing, and Data Analysis, while maintaining related certifications and credentials and exhibiting a high level of job performance.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: Associate's Degree in Automation, Electronics, Robotics, Computer Science, or similar 

Experience:  

• 5+ Years developing and/or troubleshooting PLC and HMI software. 

• 5+ Years working experience troubleshooting electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic circuits using schematics and diagrams. 

Licenses/Certifications:  Maintain Railroad Certifications,   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Demonstrated experience in all of the following disciplines:  

• Hardware and software repair of PLC and Industrial PC systems. 

• Low voltage control systems including relay logic, discrete and analog inputs and outputs, discrete and analog end devices such as sensors, valves, and other electrical control devices.   

• Digital and analog video and audio recording systems. 

• Industrial computers and related networking components, including hardware setup and software installation, computer imaging, virtual machine creation, software licensing, database management, and computer repair. 

• GPS systems installation, calibration, and maintenance. 

• Data analysis with Rockwell Software and/or Microsoft Office and SQL  

• Strong computer and computer applications such as Microsoft SQL Server, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. 

• Strong working knowledge in reading and troubleshooting Rockwell Software PLC and HMI software. 

• Be familiar with communication networks such as Ethernet TCP/IP, Modbus, J1939, CAN Bus, RSNetworx for ControlNet and RSNetworx for DeviceNet.  

• Ability to maintain a flexible travel calendar. 

*7+ years combination of education and relevant experience 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or Software Engineering. 

Experience:  

• 1+ Years experience with languages such as C#, HTML and Java Script. 

• 1+ Years working with database software such as Microsoft SQL Server. 

PREEMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and role-specific assessments. Components may include DOT Physical Exam, Regulated (DOT) DS/BAT, Human Performance Evaluation (HPE), and Audiogram.
• Position requires successful completion of an eVerifile/eRailSafe background check as required by Loram’s railroad customers. Ongoing eligibility is subject to compliance with eRailSafe standards.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. A Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check will be conducted upon hire and annually thereafter in accordance with Loram’s Driving Policy.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.
• A Verification of post-secondary education.
• Verification of current and prior relevant employment experience, to confirm the candidate meets the minimum required years of experience for the position.

WORKING CONDITIONS:   

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of the role successfully.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Office deskwork, requiring sitting, walking, using phone & computer 

• May lift up to 30 lbs. occasionally 

• 70% or more travel, including 10% international 

• Can tolerate variable and sometimes challenging conditions during visits or inspections of company equipment in a railroad environment.