Sr Data Engineer OT Digital Systems

Job Location: Technical Center

Pay Level: 1A

This position will be posted internally until the close of business on 06/13/25.

Summary:

The Sr. Data Engineer, OT Digital Systems, works closely with cross functional teams in engineering and Information Technology.  This resource helps implement digital and data manufacturing solutions in support of the Hershey Digital Factory initiative.  The successful candidate works with project teams to implement systems and deliver measurable value for Hershey.  Reporting to the Senior Manager, OT Digital Systems, this individual helps ensure solutions and their delivery align with Hershey’s Digital Factory Strategy.

Specific Role Focus Areas:

• Executes digital and data solutions across Hershey’s manufacturing sites.
• Uses high-level understanding of plant processes and procedures to develop and execute supporting digital systems.
• 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
• Operational Technology
• Environment, Health, and Safety
• Supply Chain Quality
• Continuous Improvement
• Other key stakeholders and leadership teams, including Quality and Regulatory Compliance, Procurement, Marketing, Operations Business Development, Manufacturing Alliances, Supply Planning and Production Planning
• External vendors, contractors, and engineering firms

Travel Expectations:

Sr. Data Engineer travels as needed to fulfill job duties including international and domestic supply chain network sites.

Scope of Responsibility:

Capital Project Execution:

• Leads the execution of digital and data systems and solutions (cost estimates, feasibility, interpretation of requirements specifications and recommendations).
• Participates in the development of the business case, technical feasibility, and plan for customer (plant) acceptance.
• Uses engineering knowledge, judgment, creativity, and experience to execute highly technical IT/OT digital data initiatives.
• Establishes new procedures and technologies, identifying new industry trends with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Provides leadership and expertise in support of projects utilizing the AVEVA PI and HiveMQ software suites.
• Serves as a digital data subject matter expert for capital projects.

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 solutions and tactical plans for system implementation.
• Applies technical and operational understanding to identify effective and economical digital solutions.
• Able to implement projects in support of the strategic plan to establish digital data systems as a standard for continuous improvement within the manufacturing network.
• Develops digital data systems strategies that deliver enhanced supply chain capabilities.
• Demonstrates proficiency and knowledge of complex food industry manufacturing (or the equivalent), to include good manufacturing practices.
• Serves as subject matter expert with suppliers to ensure alignment with Hershey strategies and standards.

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 with supplier companies, Hershey teammates and engineering disciplines.
• Is a leader in guiding the convergence of information technology and operational technology systems in support of the Digitally Integrated Manufacturing Stack of applications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Knowledge of:
  • Programming languages/scripting (C#, Python, R, SQL, Java, etc.)
  • Data warehousing platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, etc.
  • Experience with ETL/ELT toolsets
  • Big data technologies such as Apache Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, etc.
  • Proficiency with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, etc.
  • Data modeling and architecture
  • Databases, relational and time-series
  • Analytics and reporting tools such as MS Power BI, Tableau
  • Industrial control system integration using open integration protocols OPC/MQTT 
  • Unified Namespace Architecture, event driven architectures
  • Inductive Automation Ignition Platform
  • AVEVA PI Systems architecture including connectivity, asset framework management, client visualization tools.
  • HiveMQ MQTT Broker system architecture and configuration
  • Control system components and architecture systems (e.g., PLCs, Ethernet, Kepware OPC, MQTT, Microsoft Networking [TCP/IP], HMI/SCADA) 
  • Software development methodologies, version control systems, automated testing techniques, change management

• Working knowledge of: 
  • Data strategy, governance, integration, historization and management
  • State-of-the-art control components and systems 
  • Continuous integration tools and processes (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)
  • SAP Systems
• Preferred design and development experience includes:
  • Inductive Automation Ignition: Plan and drive system specification, design, architecture, and development.
  • Database: Design of data strategy for manufacturing, quality, and business enterprise systems
  • AVEVA PI: Develop and define data structures / guide UI development.
  • Unified Namespace:  HiveMQ broker configuration

Minimum Requirements and Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, or other closely related field of study
• 5years’ experience leading and designing digital data systems