Senior Industrial Automation Engineer

Description

About NFW

NFW is a circularity platform for plastic-free performance materials. NFW follows three Ground Rules in everything we develop: start well, stay clean, end well. While nearly everything in the built world relies on some type of plastic that began as crude oil and that will become plastic pollution, we are establishing a new material reality. We believe all materials should begin and end as nutrients, ready for the next growth cycle—true circularity.          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Our multi-material platform serves a wide range of industries—from fashion and footwear to automotive and upholstery. NFW technology embeds seamlessly into existing supply chains, enabling the world’s most iconic brands to design and scale products with high-performance, plastic-free materials. NFW makes global brands more sustainable, empowering them to create without plastics. Alongside the boldest brands and visionary designers, we are pioneering a naturally circular, post-oil economy.

NFW is a company of trailblazers, innovators and bold thinkers, committed to reinventing the way things are made. We never stop learning. We are fiercely curious about the world and how to improve it for everyone. We offer competitive salary, paid vacation and sick time, flexible work-life balance, great colleagues and more!

Do you have experience with electrical or mechanical process automation? NFW is currently seeking an Industrial Automation Engineer to join our growing engineering team. This position will be a key contributor to the success of implementing NFW’s next generation of Clarus® and Mirum® production machinery. Both Clarus® and Mirum® hold the key to displacing polluting synthetic textiles with high-performing natural alternatives that can be recycled. 

You now have the opportunity to apply your experience in a way that will make a positive tangible impact on the planet. The ideal candidate will either come from or be prepared to join a fast-to-failure, iterative development environment where every day will be spent solving real engineering challenges. We are specifically looking for automation control experience (i.e. PLCs, industrial sensors, actuators, motors, servos, and data acquisition) but additional mechanical design ability is a plus. A typical day for an engineer at NFW is split between the workstation doing CAD, fabricating prototypes, or making improvements on the shop floor. 

You are an ideal candidate for this position if...

• You enjoy and excel at getting your hands dirty in implementing designs for prototype systems, systems on their way to being production ready.
• You want to be part of something truly unique and new. You want to help commercialize new technologies that are unproven but have a team dedicated to their success.
• You thrive in making order and efficiency out of chaos.
• You are self-starting but can take direction and receive constructive feedback.
• You are an excellent communicator and team player across multiple disciplines spanning chemical engineers, polymer scientists, and business leaders.
• You take a pro-active approach to providing a safe work place.
• You are passionate about environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement electrical and pneumatic control systems for the next generation of yarn/fabric (Clarus®) and plant-based leather (Mirum®) production machinery.
• Design machine and facility PLC and HMI code for the purpose of automation and data collection.
• Setup and execute controls and automation tests as needed.
• Commission and debug both systems and code on newly developed machinery or processes.
• Write control system operation and maintenance manuals for in house designs or customizations on existing equipment.
• Directly discuss problems with operators and production managers to identify and develop labor-saving or product improving automation solutions.
• Discuss projects with key stakeholders to establish underlying budget, scope, and timeline requirements.
• Provide project cost and labor estimates prior to start of work for project evaluation.
• Occasionally troubleshoot production problems related to machine automation.
• Support in the maintenance of NFW’s equipment as required/needed.
• Encourage safe work practices and apply appropriate lock-out procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering is prefe