Senior Infrastructure Engineer in DALLAS-FORT WORTH METROPLEX

Corporate Controls Infrastructure Engineer

Job Location: Dallas, TX – Main Office

Corporate Relocation Package Available

We are seeking a highly experienced Corporate Controls Infrastructure Engineer with a focus on network and IT infrastructure for manufacturing plants. This role is critical in ensuring the continuous and secure operation of control systems across multiple facilities. The position involves managing and configuring network components, maintaining server infrastructure, and providing 24/7 support to ensure system uptime and performance.

Responsibilities:

• Network Management & Infrastructure:
• Ethernet/IP Communication: Manage and optimize Ethernet/IP communication within the plant control systems to ensure seamless data flow between control system devices and the network. This includes troubleshooting and maintaining communication between PLCs, HMIs, and other connected devices.
• Industrial Managed Switches: Configure and maintain industrial managed switches (such as Cisco Stratix) to ensure robust and secure network connections for control system components. Ensure proper VLAN segmentation and network security practices are in place.

• Control System Networks: Maintain and support the plant's control system networks, including Device Level Ring (DLR) technology, industrial Ethernet, and legacy systems such as ControlNet. Ensure proper documentation of all network designs and configurations, and collaborate closely with IT to ensure the control system's traffic and requirements are integrated into the corporate network securely and efficiently.
• Server Infrastructure & IT Management:
• MS Server/VMware Infrastructure: Design, configure, and maintain the MS Server and VMware environments that support the control system infrastructure. This includes provisioning virtual machines, monitoring system health, and ensuring the scalability and reliability of the server infrastructure for 24/7 plant operations.
• Operating System, Hardware & Software Configuration: Specify and implement OS, hardware, and software configurations on all control system servers to ensure consistent, 24x7x365 uptime. This includes ensuring high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery capabilities across all control systems.
• Patch Management & System Updates: Collaborate with IT and plant personnel to coordinate Microsoft patch approvals, install patches on control system servers, and stay current on Rockwell Software and AVEVA updates. Maintain system integrity by ensuring patches are compatible with control system components and implemented with minimal downtime.
• Backup and Recovery Standards: Develop and maintain comprehensive backup and recovery standards for all engineering devices and control system servers, ensuring the ability to quickly recover systems in the event of failure. Coordinate with the IT team to execute backups and verify system integrity regularly.
• Controls System Security & Access Management:
• Manage user access within the Control System environments, performing quarterly audits to ensure appropriate access levels are maintained. Provide support for adding or modifying user access based on authorization from the Controls Engineering Manager.
• Ensure cybersecurity protocols are implemented for all control system components, including managing user permissions, securing network access, and keeping firmware and software updated to protect against vulnerabilities.
• Technical Support & Project Management:
• Provide technical consultation and support for controls & automation systems across the manufacturing facilities, utilizing the HELP Desk System to resolve issues promptly.
• Support the design and documentation of Control System Architecture, including control panels, hardware, and communication protocols.
• Collaborate with third-party engineering partners on network and system upgrades, ensuring that all control system components meet operational and security standards.

Must-Have Expertise:

• Experience with Ethernet/IP communication within a plant control system environment is required.
• Proficiency in configuring and maintaining industrial managed switches such as Cisco Stratix is preferred.
• Extensive experience with MS Server and VMware environments, including provisioning and maintaining virtual machines for control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to specify, configure, and maintain OS, hardware, and network setups for engineering servers to ensure 24x7x365 uptime.
• Advanced experience with Allen Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix) and HMI development, particularly within Wonderware (AVEVA) ArchestrA System Platform.
• Familiarity with Object-Oriented Programming, SQL Databases, and network protocols used in manufacturing control systems.

Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in Controls & Automation Engineering, with a focus on network and server infrastructure in the Food & Beverage, Consumer Goods, or similar industries.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited university is required.
• Strong communication skills and a professional demeanor, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to support facilities and projects.