Application Engineer II

Job Title:                    Application Engineer II

Location:                    Los Alamitos, CA

Reports to:                 Engineering Manager

FLSA Status:             Exempt

Salary Range:            $80K – $130K

Prepared By:             Human Resources

Prepared Date:          April 24, 2024

Core Hours:               7:00 am to 4:00 pm, M-F, flexible hours possible

Additional hours outside the above times/days may be required to support project activities. Periodic travel outside the SoCal area may be required.

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

KDC Inc. is a recognized leader in the electrical industry, contributing to some of the most critical and recognizable commercial and industrial projects in Southern California and nationwide for the past five decades.  We provide a full range of services from conceptual budgets and value-engineered options to fast track, design/build, large pre-designed owner-occupied facilities, and transportation systems.  KDC Systems is the control systems integration division of KDC Inc.  KDC Inc./KDC Systems are EMCOR Group companies.  EMCOR Group is the world’s largest provider of planning, consulting, mechanical, and electrical construction services. 

Job Summary:  This position requires expertise in both the engineering/design and programming aspects of typical water/wastewater, material handling, and/or life science automation projects.  The typical project consists of project documentation development, control panel design, PLC/visualization configuration and programming, field device selection, and startup/commissioning, all within the context of rigorous project specifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Design control panels to UL 508A/698 standards including but not limited to:
  • 120/480VAC power distribution
  • I/O assignment
  • interconnection/loop drawings
  • panel layout
  • component selection
  • BoM formulation
  • material requisitions
  • load and thermal calculations
  • SCCR calculations
• Select field devices/instrumentation and develop instrument data sheets per project specifications.
• Develop single line/three-line drawings.
• Coordinate with panel shop during control panel fabrication.
• Develop, submit, obtain approval, and execute unwitnessed and witnessed control panel factory acceptance tests.
• Lead all aspects of software logic development including but not limited to:
  • I/O configuration
  • communication channel configuration
  • PLC/DCS/HMI network block diagram
  • software address database
  • modular re-usable logic
  • comprehensive logic documentation
  • logical, easy to follow program file organization
  • security
  • remote access implementation
  • device networking
  • coordination with vendor supplied equipment
• Interface with project stakeholders to develop and present the overall control system such that it meets the requirements of project contract documents and overall system functionality.
• Develop submittals, for approval by the customer, of control panel designs, software logic, control strategies, and test procedures, as required. Test and commission control systems, as part of a project team, in strict validation environments, as are normal in the water/wastewater, material handling, and/or life science industries.  
• Provide training to customer personnel on all aspects of the control system implementation and operation.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years design/control system programming experience in water/wastewater, material handling, and/or life science industries.
• Proficiency in the design and programming of Rockwell Automation PLC/visualization platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix, FactoryTalk View). PlantPAx and RA legacy systems (SLC, PLC5, PanelView) experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in the design and programming of AVEVA System Platform is a plus.
• Proficiency in the design and programming of Schneider Electric PLC/visualization platforms (M340/580, Momentum, Quantum) is a plus.
• Proficiency in the design and programming of other PLC/DCS/visualization platforms (Ignition, GE, Siemens, Delta V) is a plus.
• Experience in VMWare/virtualization is a plus.
• Good communication skills and the ability to clearly present design/programming concepts and lead discussions with project stakeholders in a courteous and professional manner while maintaining the company’s best interests.
• Good writing skills with the ability to generate clear and concise process descriptions and testing documentation.
• S. degree in engineering/computer science.

Required Attributes:

The requirements listed below are representative of characteristics and demonstrated capabilities sought to perform this job successfully.

• Must demonstrate integrity, honesty, professionalism, and commitment to company values.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have excellent organizational, communication, strategic, technical, analytical, problem solving, and multi-tasking skills.
• Must have high standards of quality with attention to detail.
• Must possess ability to manage and supervise personnel.
• Must build positive working relationships with multiple levels of employees, management, suppliers, and customers.

Language Skills:

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of customers, employees, unions, government agencies, vendors and suppliers, and other contractor organizations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to commute to field locations. The employee must have the ability to navigate around job site locations.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee should expect to sit for long periods in front of a computer and travel to field locations as needed.

While visiting field locations, the employee may be required to work outdoors, be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical and electrical parts; high, precarious places; dust, fumes, or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions, extended exposure to sunlight; cold and heat; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled