Jacob — Controls Engineer

The particular machines have been far-ranging, including programming robotic arms, CNC laser tables, CNC wire benders, vision systems, HMIs, and PLCs, and of course integrating them all together properly.

I have been a Controls Engineer at Fremont Automation for the last few years. I started out in training, mostly doing wiring, HMI work, and basic PLC programming, but quickly became proficient at both. Within a year, the employee who trained me left and I became the sole Controls Engineer in charge of all electrical design, wiring, and programming. Since then, that has encompassed many different jobs and challenges. Since I work for a custom machine builder, I've had to work with numerous standards in several industries including: food and beverage, oil and gas, automotive, irrigation, electronics manufacturing, and general manufacturing. The particular machines have been far-ranging, including programming robotic arms, CNC laser tables, CNC wire benders, vision systems, HMIs, and PLCs, and of course integrating them all together properly. I've also had to do all the electrical design for these in AutoCAD, including specifying the specific components to fit the customer's needs and standards. I also do a lot of contract work for my company. Based on past experiences working with our customers, I've basically become the go-to guy for most programming, electrical, and troubleshooting jobs for a couple companies in the area. I'm very good at figuring out the answers to problems, I work quickly, and I work well with others. There have been a lot of challenges in this job, but that has only made me love it more. I have a real passion for every aspect of controls, and a dedication to doing it right. I work closely with the design team and have a hand in assembly as well, so that when it comes to making everything work correctly, I'm very familiar with the machine mechanically as well as electrically. When we're troubleshooting the machine, the mechanics of it are just as important as the controls, so we often have to work together to get the best solution possible.