Rheem

The Electrical Controls Engineer III is responsible for the Technical Support functions for power and distribution systems planning and management, electrical control systems, process planning, and process improvements. Involves the different phases of Rheem Manufacturing engineering projects from concept through ongoing production. The incumbent participates in such specific activities as the design and evaluation of processes, logic development for programmable logic controllers, design and implementation of electrical controls or distribution systems, coordination of the plant’s electrical distribution system, and preparation of specifications for bids and proposals. The individual must assist in maintaining technological control over all processes. 

This position supports and manages the electrical power and control systems for the entire plant operations and facilities. Electrical technical guidance is provided to others as required in the liaison role between production and all other functional areas of the company. This position also performs engineering and technical assistance in providing economical manufacturing methods to accomplish optimum utilization of machines, processes, facilities, quality, and timely production. 

This position will serve of Rheem Water Heating Division located in Montgomery, AL.

• Upload and maintain a current back-up of all programs or parameters including documentation for electrical control systems such as PLC’s, drives, and operator interface terminals. Maintain electrical schematics for all equipment control systems in a central location as well as at the respective equipment.
• Assist plant maintenance in troubleshooting and repair of electrical systems.
• Develop hardware requirements for electrical control systems for process equipment based on required process input and outputs. Develop control programs for programmable logic controllers and operator interface terminals to reflect the process. Maintain and troubleshoot all PLC equipment hardware and software for the plant’s processes.
• Calculate and design power requirements for new power feed installations to new process equipment or facilities. Incumbent must determine size and appropriate ratings of transformers, wire, conduit, circuit protection and grounding systems, which complies with national electrical codes.
• Investigate and determine the adaptability of new electrical technologies to Rheem facilities and equipment. Prepares specifications and appropriations, initiates purchase of capital equipment, and oversees their installation and implementation.
• Manages the existing and new installations of the plant’s power distribution systems. Maintain and update any changes to current single-line electrical diagrams, panel drawings, panel or distribution centers labeling, and systems loads. Makes recommendations to management for changes or adjustments to the power systems.
• Monitors and implements corrective actions to maintain the plant’s power factor close to unity to prevent penalties from the local power utilities.
• Must provide a proactive communication link of any power demand fluctuations or modifications to plant power facilities to the local power utilities representatives.
• Monitor power systems for any unusual demands or improper operation and report any such activities to management and local utilities for corrective actions.
• Manages the existing and new installations as well as testing to the plant’s fire protection system. Maintain and update any changes to current system diagrams, drawings, and documentation. Makes recommendations to management for changes or adjustments to the fire protection systems.
• Plan, design, and assist in construction and implementation of new control systems to replace antiquated or inefficient control systems on current equipment or processes.
• Develop and assist in the implementation of an electrical preventative maintenance program. Identify critical equipment and its electrical components and initiate predictive programs to replace worn equipment prior to failure to reduce downtime to the operations.
• Participate in cost and productivity improvement projects to reduce utility costs, high maintenance costs or excessive downtime with electrical power or control systems.
• Determine the most efficient workstation layout, machines, tools, and operations required to develop optimum line balance for sequential operations. Devises and develops the use of substitute equipment, tools, and operations to overcome production schedules or technical problems.
• Plan and design new processes and equipment, such as electrical control systems, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and tools. Develop improvements of special hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical equipment. After design, monitors and controls fabrication progress, establishes estimates of time, material and labor costs on projects submitted. Project management methods and reports are used to monitor the projects.
• Participate in productivity and quality improvements by investigating, analyzing, and estimating cost reduction in proposed major changes involving department layouts, methods and operation sequence, machine utilization, tools, jigs, fixtures, and the introduction of automation.
• Investigate the availability of special machines, restrictions of workplace layout, and available facilities prior to estimation of material, labor, and machine costs. Obtains necessary data from various sources such as research and development engineering, quality control, and material costs required to support specific items of equipment or production schedules. Reviews and directs the integration of this information as facets of cost into bid proposals.
• Investigate new process technologies. Determines adaptability to Rheem facilities and product designs. Prepares specifications and appropriations initiates purchases of capital equipment and oversees their installation and implementation.
• Develop capability requirements and acceptance criteria for new and existing manufacturing processes.
• Recommend and develop flow layouts.
• Analyze all manufacturing and procedural proposals to determine the most feasible methods, the probable capital or expense expenditure requirements, and the estimated total cost. Prepare and present both oral and written reports to management along with detailed justification of recommendations.
• Assist in evaluating the condition and providing recommendations as to the effective maintenance of process equipment and electrical systems.
• Investigate and provide solutions for process issues to reduce defects, scrap, or re-work to improve the quality of the product and productivity of the plant.
• Determine ways to reduce work-in-process, finished goods inventories, raw materials, or non-value-added activities to aid in controlling operating cost of the facility.
• Interpret instructions and company policy to employees such as ISO 9000 documentation. Maintain standards of performance and training of new personnel, discipline good employee management relations, improvement of costs and quantity and quality of work of employees.
• Plan, devise and document engineering information such as operation sequences, materials, machines, equipment, tooling, and processes required to manufacture, fabricate, assemble or process electrical, mechanical, sheet metal or non-ferrous components, assemblies and systems of minimum material, labor, and machine costs.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering with five (5) years’ experience or Graduate degree in Electrical Engineering with three (3) years’ experience working in an Electrical, Manufacturing, or Process Engineering Department for a manufacturing company.
• Able to interact and communicate effectively at the engineering technical level with people in and outside the company.
• Must possess effective verbal and written skills to communicate technical analysis of problems and reports.
• Knowledge of PC software applications such as spreadsheets, word processors, presentations, and project management a must.
• No travel restrictions.
• Must have excellent communication skills to deal effectively with other functional areas of the company.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Independent thought, good judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to prioritize multiple projects are a must.
• AutoCAD or similar computer-aided drafting.
• Project management experience and excellent organizational skills are a must.
• Knowledgeable in National Electrical Codes and industrial wiring practices.
• Significant training and experience in developing logic for programmable logic controllers and operator interface terminals and schematics for industrial electrical control systems.
• Experienced in troubleshooting industrial electrical control systems, programmable logic, and drive systems.
• Experience in Power systems planning, power distribution systems, single-phase and three-phase substation transformers, power feed sizing, motor control centers, etc.
• Experienced in various types of motors: AC, DC, single-phase motors, three-phase motors, synchronous motors, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Pro-E.
• Knowledgeable of pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical systems.
• Experienced in control systems integration.

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At Rheem, we are dedicated to bringing comfort to people’s lives. As a leading global manufacturer of heating, cooling and water heating equipment, we are innovating all-new ways to deliver just the right temperature while saving energy, water and supporting a more sustainable future. It is an exciting challenge that requires a team of talented, passionate people with a diverse set of skills. From engineers to accountants, sales professionals to support experts, Rheem depends on people to power our innovations. Join Rheem, and help shape the future of products that impact lives—every day.

Rheem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Rheem encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including those of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The job description above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.

For U.S. Based jobs, please note that Rheem is unable to hire candidates to be employed in the following states: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming.

Rheem and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee.