Staff Engineer OT Digital Systems

Job Location: Technical Center

Summary:

The Staff Engineer, OT Digital Systems, works closely with cross functional teams in engineering and Information Technology.  This resource helps implement digital 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 automation solutions across Hershey’s manufacturing sites.
• 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
• 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:

The Staff 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 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 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.
• Leads the implementation of Connected Worker software across the supply chain.
• Serves as a digital 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 automation 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 and automation systems as a standard for continuous improvement within the manufacturing network.
• Develops digital and automation 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 application.
• Coaches and mentors engineers and other members of the technical community to build technical capability and leadership behaviors consistent with our corporate vision

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of:
  • Connected Worker software platforms including Augmentir.
  • Programming languages/scripting (IEC 61131-3, C#, Python, SQL, etc.)
  • Modern software architectures, including microservices, containers, OSI Model Layers 1-4, cloud computing technologies.
  • Network architecture, virtual machine environments (VMWare), 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) 
  • State-of-the-art control components and systems 
  • Securing systems running ICS-related communications protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, OPC, MODBUS, ProfiNET) 
  • Industrial Control Network architecture
  • Software development methodologies, version control systems, automated testing techniques

• Working knowledge of: 
  • Data strategy, integration, historization and management
  • Software
  • 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:
  • 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.
  • Robotics (OTTO, FANUC): Design and implementation of robotic integration into higher 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 leading and designing digital automation and controls projects