Facility: Buffalo, NY

General Description

The Industrial Engineer supports Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance by driving continuous improvement in equipment performance, production efficiency, and technology utilization, including automation. This role acts as a subject matter expert on industrial automation, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and plays a key role in evaluating, designing, and implementing technical solutions that enhance manufacturing operations.

Specific Duties

• Serve as the plant subject matter expert (SME) for programmable logic and PLC systems, including troubleshooting, programming, and optimizing control systems with all required safety features. 
• Support Maintenance and Manufacturing Engineering in diagnosing and resolving equipment issues.
• Evaluate existing production processes and equipment for efficiency, safety, and technological capability.
• Identify and lead initiatives for automation, robotics, and technology upgrades to enhance production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement automated systems, ensuring integration with existing processes and controls.
• Conduct data analysis and time studies to assess workflow efficiency and identify areas for process optimization.
• Support the implementation and validation of new equipment and automated systems.
• Develop and manage continuous improvement projects focused on cost reduction, quality improvement, and operational excellence.
• Assist in the specification, procurement, and integration of advanced manufacturing equipment.
• Manage capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects for new equipment, including budgeting, justification, planning, and execution.
• Design and optimize plant layouts for new or modified machinery and production lines to ensure efficient material flow and space utilization.
• Create and maintain documentation related to process improvements, automation projects, PLC programs, and equipment upgrades.
• Support training efforts for maintenance and production staff on new equipment, automation technologies, and PLC systems.
• Participate in root cause analysis and problem-solving activities related to equipment downtime or inefficiencies.
• Engage in cross-functional meetings and GEMBA walks to maintain awareness of operational challenges and improvement opportunities.
• Ensure all engineering activities comply with applicable environmental, health, and safety regulations.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered.
• Experience with PLC programming, troubleshooting, and integration (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with strong workload management and organizational skills.
• Effective and professional communication skills with all levels of the organization, including management, supervisors, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Familiarity with automation systems, industrial sensors, and control systems is highly desirable
• Proficiency in SolidWorks and the ability to create and interpret technical drawings.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles such as single-piece flow and waste reduction.
• Basic knowledge of machining and fabrication processes (e.g., grinding, milling, turning, welding).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) and general Windows-based systems.
• Adaptable and quick to learn in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to self-check work for accuracy.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop. A large degree of lifting (moderate to heavyweight), bending, squatting and maneuvering. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, for viewing a computer terminal distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception vision for moving objects and ability to adjust focus.
• This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
• The ability to work with chemicals in the proper environment and while wearing PPE. 

Personal Protective Equipment

The following list of PPE is required while in the manufacturing area:

• Safety Glasses conforming to ANSI Z87.1 or higher
• Steel Toe Safety Shoes conforming to OSHA General Industry Standards 29 CFR 1910 
• Hearing protection conforming to OSHA General Industry Standards 29 CFR 1910
• The ability to wear a dust mask conforming to OSHA General Industry Standards 39 CFR 1910.134
• Additional PPE may be required depending on the department

Hutchinson Industries, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

This is an exempt position.  Hutchinson Industries, Inc. reserves the right to modify the job description based upon its needs and may require the employee to perform functions beyond those mentioned above.  Neither this job description nor any other communication creates an employment contract between Hutchinson Industries, Inc. nor the employee, and either one may terminate employment without notice at any time.