PLC Engineer

Submission Information
Publish Date: 
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Archive Date: 
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Job Summary
Job Category: 
Scientific/Technical Staff
Institution Classification/Type: 
Other
Institution/Company: 
AURA Inc.
City: 
MAUI
State/Province: 
HAWAI
Country: 
United States of America
Announcement
Job Announcement Text: 

The National Solar Observatory (NSO) is part of The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), a consortium of over 40 US institutions and four international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. This time, NSO is seeking an experienced PLC Engineer for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), located in Maui, Hawaii. The DKIST is currently under construction in Maui, Hawaii on the summit of Haleakala and scheduled for completion within the year. Once completed, the DKIST, will be the world's largest most advanced solar telescope and will help resolve the fundamental interactions between solar magnetic fields and the dynamic atmospheric plasma on scales below 0.1 arcsec over entire active regions.

The PLC Engineer provides complex engineering support, for a project or for one or more related detail phases of a project or division of an engineering program, by planning and performing technical activities or resolving complex technically related problems exercising broad discretion.  This may entail supervising and directing supporting personnel, including subcontractors.  Activities are usually within a specific field of expertise such as mechanical technology, electronics, design drafting, optics, computer applications or instrumentation. As a member of the Site Operations Engineering Group, the PLC Engineer will be key in the maintenance, upgrade and operations of the DKIST Observatory.

Essential Functions:

  • Operate, maintain, and optimize the performance of all DKIST PLC Systems.
  • Inspect PLC equipment and/or systems to ensure conformance to specifications, safety standards, or applicable codes or regulations.
  • Perform a lead role in complex technical/engineering activities such as PLC/PAC/DCS and servo controls project planning, programming, installation, startup, commissioning, debugging, calibration, testing/analysis, and reporting.
  • Design, develop, document, program and test PLC code in IEC 61131-3 standard languages (Ladder-Diagram, Function Block, etc.) for control of electro/optical/mechanical systems, process controls, and functional safety.
  • Solve engineering problems where only the general objectives are stated.
  • Solve problems of a technical nature directly or in cooperation with other members of a project team.
  • Design and implement new PLC systems and functions, and debug and enhance existing PLC systems and functions. Identify and correct discrepancies in documentation, logic, wiring, and update ‘as-built’ information, including documentation and code version.
  • Develop techniques, procedures, and testing for compliance with scientific objectives, technical requirements and approved budgets and schedules.
  • Coordinate activities for an assignment and interact with other engineering disciplines and suppliers or vendors when required, including active participation in the Hazard Analysis Team and collaboration with Safety and Management to implement safety mitigations, such as interlocks, and ensure safe implementation and reset of bypasses when required for specifically defined hazardous job activities/procedures
  • Direct and coordinate activities concerned with design, fabrication, installation, and modification of electronic equipment and systems.
  • Monitor and report results of activities, notes unusual situations, and recommends corrective action.
  • Exercise discretion in the application of available resources for an assignment.
  • Perform other tasks as directed by DKIST Operations Management.
  • Responsible for compliance and development of applicable safety standards and for safety of operations in areas of responsibility, and for correcting and/or reporting unsafe conditions and practices.
  • All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer.
  • Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system, https://cas.aura-astronomy.org/Awards.

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

  • Bachelor’s Degree Engineering or Science AND at least ten years of related work experience.
  • OR an Associate’s degree in Engineering Technology, or equivalent Military Training, and at least fifteen years of experience in control system and PLC technology and engineering, including some task or project lead experience.
  • Experience with PLC-based industrial control and SCADA systems, e.g., drives, software, HMIs, hardware and ancillary items, e.g. Allen Bradley, B&R, Beckhoff, Siemens, Kollmorgen, Ignition
  • Ability to resolve technical problems by hands-on application of engineering and physics principles relevant to project requirements in controls, electronics and mechanisms
  • Ability to read, speak, and write effectively, including review of applicable documentation and drawings, and preparation, review, and presentation of drawings, reports, and presentations.
  • Ability to cooperate with and obtain the support of others, and to take a leading role on a task when required.
  • Willingness to actively participate in team safety meetings and adhere to (and advocate for) safety procedures and protocols.
  • Sensitive to and respectful of cultural and environmental issues.

This position is covered by the NSO Substance Abuse Prevention and Testing policy and pre-employment testing is required.

Please list 3 professional references in your application and attach a CV or resume (PDF files preferred) to your application. Please name any attachments with the following format:  LastnameDocname. Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to [email protected]

AURA will accept and review applications until the position is filled. Qualified internal candidates will be given preference.


AURA, as a leader in the astronomical community, is committed to diversity and inclusion. AURA develops and supports programs that advance our organizational commitment to diversity, broaden participation, and encourage the advancement of diversity throughout the astronomical scientific workforce. Learn more at http://www.aura-astronomy.org/diversity

As a recipient of U.S. Government funding, AURA is considered a government contractor and is subject to Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action regulations. As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, AURA and all of the centers, do not discriminate based on race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender identity expression, lawful political affiliations, veteran status, disability, and/or any other legally protected status under applicable federal, state, and local equal opportunity laws.

 Veterans, disabled individuals or wounded warriors needing assistance with the employment process should request assistance at [email protected]

Included Benefits: 

AURA provides a generous compensation package including health coverage, paid time off and retirement benefits.

Application Deadline: 
Thursday, September 3, 2020
Current Status of Position: 
Accepting Applicants
Apply to Job
Attention To: 
AURA HUMAN RESOURCES
Institution/Company Job ID or Reference Code: 
PLCEN03583
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