Staff Engineer OT Digital Systems

Job Location: Annville, PA   

Summary:

This role is an opportunity to join our Tech Assurance team creating the future at Hershey’s state-of-the-art Annville Fulfillment Center (AFC), located in Annville, PA.  The facility plays a critical role in the company’s strategic growth objectives, leveraging advanced technology and expanding capabilities for customer growth. The Staff Engineer, OT Digital Systems works closely with Hershey leadership and our third-party logistics (3PL) partners to support Operations Technology (OT) initiatives across the facility’s manufacturing systems and assets.

Come prepared to work hard and have fun at this state-of-the-art facility!

Specific Role Focus Areas:

• Supports and improves digital and automation solutions
• Uses high-level understanding of process control network architecture and security requirements to ensure manufacturing solutions are as secured as possible.
• Effectively communicates across all levels and disciplines of the organization.
• Understands both industry and business standards in executing optimal solutions.

Interactions and Partnerships:

• Information Technology (IT)
• Operational Technology (OT)
• Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS)
• Quality and Regulatory Compliance
• Continuous Improvement & Operations Excellence
• Maintenance and Reliability
• Controls Engineering
• Supply Planning and Production Planning
• External vendors, contractors, and engineering firms

Scope of Responsibility:

Project Execution:

• Leads the execution of digital systems and solutions (cost estimates, feasibility, interpretation of requirements specifications and recommendations).
• Participates in the development of the business case, and assessing technical feasibility
• Uses engineering knowledge, judgment, creativity, and experience to execute highly technical IT/OT digital initiatives.
  
  

Innovation:

• Identifies opportunities to drive the delivery, knowledge transfer and value generation of the digital manufacturing suite of applications.
• Provides guidance to project teams and internal and external technical resources to assess opportunities for application of innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiencies, while achieving optimum business value.
• Exhibits sound judgment and effective analysis of emerging technologies

Business Knowledge:

• Experienced and competent in process controls, digital technologies and automation systems, manufacturing execution system (MES), connected worker platforms (CW), Unified Namespace architecture, and integration techniques with other IT and OT Systems.
• Uses knowledge to execute digital automation solutions and tactical plans for system implementation.
• Applies technical and operational understanding to identify effective and economical digital solutions.
• Develops digital and automation systems strategies that deliver enhanced supply chain capabilities.
• Demonstrates proficiency and knowledge of complex food industry manufacturing (or the equivalent), including good manufacturing practices (GMPs)
• Experienced in leading initiatives to support and enhance the Digitally Integrated Manufacturing Stack for both new and existing applications. 

Leadership and Development:

• Practices personal and team accountability for the development and enforcement of our digital and automation solutions standards and best practices

• Recognized as a subject matter expert (SME) with supplier companies, Hershey teammates and engineering disciplines, and ensures alignment with Hershey’s expectations and standards for both capital projects and minor OT enhancements and improvements.

• Coaches and mentors other plant resources such as mechatronics staff, reliability leads, controls specialists, and other members of the technical team
• Provides leadership and expertise in support of projects utilizing the AVEVA PI and HiveMQ software suites.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of:
• Programming languages/scripting (IEC 61131-3, C#, Python, SQL, etc.)
• MES software platforms including TrakSYS.
• Modern software architectures, including microservices, containers, OSI Model Layers 1-4, cloud computing technologies.
• Network architecture, virtual machine environments (VMWare/Nutanix), VLANs, firewall rules, servers
• Industrial control system integration using open integration protocols OPC/MQTT 
• Unified Namespace Architecture, ISA-95, event driven architectures
• AVEVA PI Systems architecture including connectivity, asset framework management, client visualization tools.
• Control system components and architecture systems (e.g., PLCs, Ethernet, Kepware OPC, Microsoft Networking [TCP/IP], HMI/SCADA) 
• Securing systems running ICS-related communications protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, OPC, MODBUS, etc.) 
• Deploying and managing RHL devices in OT environments
• Industrial Control Network architecture
• Software development methodologies, version control systems, automated testing techniques
• Deploying, managing, and optimizing Ignition SCADA systems for industrial automation and data visualization. 
• Developing and optimizing SQL database solutions for scalable and efficient data management
• Programming, troubleshooting, and optimizing robotic systems (Fanuc, Otto) with a focus on seamless integration into higher-level manufacturing and control platforms.
• Machine vision system deployment and optimization (Cognex)
• Using utility monitoring systems (PM8000) to enhance energy efficiency, data accuracy, and system reliability.
• Deploying and managing Stratodesk NoTouch OS on OnLogic industrial PCs, ensuring reliable performance, secure endpoint management, and seamless integration with VDI environments.
• Utilizing Edge Devices (OnLogic, Opto22) for hosting Ignition Servers and for remotely interfacing with equipment

• Working knowledge of: 
• Data strategy, integration, historization and management
• Deploying Stratodesk NoTouch on Thin-clients (On-Logic) and
• Software
• State-of-the-art control components and systems 
• High-speed packaging systems
• Continuous integration of tools and processes (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)
• SAP Systems

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or other closely related field of study
• 8 years’ experience supporting digital automation and controls-related initiatives

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