Senior Engineer-Automation & MES
Company: Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc.
Location: Alsip
Posted on: May 6, 2025
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Job Description:
Mission
Lead the global deployment of Crown's in-house Manufacturing
Execution System (MES) across its factories, ensuring seamless
integration between shopfloor systems and enterprise data
platforms. This includes conducting factory assessments, defining
scope of work, identifying missing data and hardware, and
implementing PLC coding and MES configuration to ensure accurate
data flow from machines to the system.
Take ownership of MES system maintenance and troubleshooting across
Crown's global manufacturing footprint (Europe, Americas,
Asia-Pacific). Work closely with factories to diagnose and resolve
data integrity issues, whether stemming from faulty sensors,
incorrect configurations, or network inconsistencies.
Proactively identify and develop opportunities to leverage
shopfloor data for process optimization, predictive maintenance,
and operational efficiency. Collaborate with factory teams to
analyze MES data, uncover insights, and implement data-driven
improvements that enhance manufacturing performance. Work alongside
software developers and digital transformation teams to
continuously improve the system, integrating emerging technologies
and best practices to maximize impact.
Ensure alignment with the Digital Team's roadmap, meeting project
deadlines and driving the successful development and implementation
of Crown Technology (CT) applications and enhancements. Actively
contribute to the evolution of Crown's smart factory initiatives,
fostering innovation through advanced automation, analytics, and
digital solutions.
Main challenges & complexity
This role operates within a diverse, fast-paced, and evolving
global manufacturing environment, requiring seamless collaboration
with multiple stakeholders across different regions, including
factory teams, corporate leadership, commissioning engineers,
software developers, and external suppliers. Managing these varied
interests and priorities while ensuring smooth deployment and
aftercare of the MES system is a critical challenge.
The complexity of system integration across factories with varying
architectures, network infrastructures, and automation platforms
adds further challenges. Differences in hardware compatibility,
industrial communication protocols, and cybersecurity requirements
must be carefully managed to ensure robust and reliable MES
functionality. Additionally, the local capability of factory teams
varies significantly, requiring tailored training, hands-on
support, and proactive troubleshooting to maintain system
performance and adoption.
As MES deployment scales, the role must remain adaptable to new
requirements, evolving technologies, AI-driven analytics, and
cross-functional collaborations-both within Crown and with partner
companies. This requires a flexible and solution-oriented approach
to problem-solving, ensuring that digital transformation
initiatives align with Crown's manufacturing goals.
The role also demands the ability to work under tight deadlines in
a dynamic factory environment, balancing the simultaneous rollout
of multiple projects while ensuring continuous system
improvements.
Travel will be required (-20%), with international site visits
lasting 1-2 weeks at a time, to support factory onboarding,
troubleshoot issues, and oversee deployments.
Main activities
Factory Assessment & Scope Definition
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System Integration & Data Flow Design
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Implementation & Commissioning
Validate and troubleshoot MES integration, ensuring accurate,
real-time data flow from shopfloor equipment to MES servers.
System Validation & Continuous Monitoring
Diagnose and resolve system issues, including faulty sensors,
incorrect PLC configurations, and data integrity discrepancies.
Enhancements & Innovation
Research and introduce new digital technologies, including
AI-driven analytics, predictive maintenance solutions, and process
automation enhancements.
Project Management & Coordination
Provide training and knowledge transfer to local teams to enhance
MES system understanding and long-term sustainability.
System Maintenance & Global Support
Gather feedback from end-users and operations teams to drive
continuous MES system enhancements and refinements.
Safety & Compliance
Uphold Crown's company values while driving digital transformation
and innovation in manufacturing operations.
Key Performance Indicators
Quantitative
Qualitative
Nb of requests
Solutions effectiveness
Deliverables on time
Team collaboration
Nb of collaborations. Nb of sites visits.
Business/Plants feed-back
Personal Objectives result
Team/colleagues feed-back
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Communication
Internal
Effective communication at all levels with ability to promote and
present task progresses.
External
Effective communication at all levels with ability to promote and
present task progresses.
Knowledge
Education
Diploma / Qualification
Specialisation (if required)
Required
Degree level or equivalent
Electrical and control engineering or closely related discipline is
preferred. -
Desirable
Experience in high speed / volume automated manufacturing,
production environments is highly desirable.
Certified Machinery Safety Expert (CMSE -) certification is a
strong advantage
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Languages:
Level of proficiency
-English
-Other languages a plus
-Fluent - - - - - - - - - - -Autonomous - - - - - - - - -
-Notions
-Fluent - - - - - - - - - - -Autonomous - - - - - - - - -
-Notions
Some competence in a foreign language would be desirable, as the
job will require networking with a multicultural team.
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Experience and Key competences
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of proven experience in industrial automation,
MES/SCADA systems, and machine control in high-tech manufacturing
environments (battery systems, FMCG, etc.).
Hands-on experience in the design, commissioning, and validation of
automation, electrical, and control systems for machines and
high-speed production lines.
Expertise in developing and standardizing automation solutions,
including PLC, HMI, robotics, and SCADA systems.
Experience in RFQ preparation, vendor selection, and supplier
management for automation projects, from prototype solutions to
full-scale.
Integration of MES with production equipment, ensuring real-time
data exchange and traceability.
Strong background in automation safety standards (CMSE -
certification preferred).
Project management skills, including stakeholder coordination,
scheduling, and risk assessment.
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Technical Skills & Competencies:
MES & SCADA Systems:
Deep understanding of MES data flow from PLCs to databases/cloud
platforms (e.g., Azure, SQL, MongoDB).
Experience in designing and implementing data handling solutions to
optimize manufacturing processes, including product traceability,
telemetry and process monitoring
PLC & HMI Programming: Expertise in Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff
TwinCAT, and Allen Bradley. Ability to modify and optimize PLC code
for data collection, automation control, and troubleshooting.
Industrial Networking & Protocols: Proficiency in OPC UA, Profinet,
Modbus, Ethernet-IP for seamless communication between industrial
devices.
Data Analytics & Visualization: Experience using Power BI, SQL,
Python, and C# to develop data-driven insights from automation
systems.
Machine Connectivity & IIoT: Strong understanding of IoT sensors,
vision systems (Keyence), and conveyor integration.
Electrical & Control Panel Design: Ability to review and approve
electrical schematics, network topologies, and control system
layouts.
System Standardization & Best Practices: Development of automation
and electrical standards to ensure scalable, safe, and connected
factory solutions.
Tools and Software
Level of proficiency
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-Microsoft office
-MES Systems
-Allan Bradley PLC programming
-Data analytics
- - - - (Power BI, Excel, etc.)
-Communication. protocols
- - - - (Modbus, OPC UA, etc.)
-Database- SQL, Mongo DB
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-Expert - - - - - - - - - - -Proficient user - - - - - - - - -
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-Expert - - - - - - - - - - -Proficient user - - - - - - - - -
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-Expert - - - - - - - - - - -Proficient user - - - - - - - - -
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-Expert - - - - - - - - - - -Proficient user - - - - - - - - -
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Soft skills :
Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking, with a data-driven
approach to manufacturing optimization.
Ability to lead automation teams, train operators, and collaborate
with industrialization, IT, and manufacturing teams.
Passionate about continuous improvement, digitalization, and
Industry 4.0 solutions.
Strong communication skills for engaging with suppliers, plant
engineers, corporate stakeholders, and IT teams.
Keywords: Crown Cork & Seal USA, Inc., South Bend , Senior Engineer-Automation & MES, Engineering , Alsip, Indiana
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