Machine Safety Specialist

Location: Birmingham, AL

Job Scope:

As a Machine Safety Specialist, a teammate is responsible for assisting with the assessment, design, implementation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and validation of industrial machine safety systems and safety-related control systems. The Specialist III works under general supervision on moderately complex machine safety assignments and assists with larger and more complex projects. This position applies working knowledge of machine safety principles, risk assessment methodologies, safety-related controls, and applicable industry standards to develop practical safety solutions that meet client and project requirements.

Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

• Understand and practice Hargrove C&A core values.
• Develop an understanding of CSIA processes and procedures.
• Recognize and communicate scope and design changes promptly to the Project Engineer or Lead.
• Assist with machine safety risk assessments, machine safety audits, and identification of hazards and risk reduction requirements.
• Assist in developing and implementing machine safety solutions in accordance with applicable standards, client requirements, and project specifications.
• Assist with the selection and application of machine safety devices and safety-related control components, including:
  • Emergency stops
  • Safety interlocks
  • Safety light curtains
  • Safety mats and scanners
  • Guard switches
  • Safety relays
  • Safety PLCs
  • Two-hand controls
  • Safety-rated sensors and devices
• Assist with determining Safety Performance Levels (PL) and/or Safety Integrity Levels (SIL), as applicable to project scope.
• Utilize Sistema or similar machine safety calculation tools to support safety-related control system analysis.
• Assist with the development of safety circuits, safety control logic, and safety-related PLC programs.
• Assist with configuration and troubleshooting of safety PLCs, safety I/O, safety relays, and other safety-related control components.
• Assist with verification and validation of machine safety functions.
• Participate in machine safety testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Troubleshoot machine safety circuits, safety devices, safety PLCs, safety I/O, and related control system issues.
• Assist with the development of machine safety specifications, safety function requirements, and safety-related control system documentation.
• Assist with project documentation, including:
  • Machine safety risk assessments
  • Safety function specifications
  • Safety circuit drawings
  • Safety requirements documentation
  • Safety validation plans and reports
  • Safety test procedures
  • Factory acceptance testing procedures
  • Site acceptance testing procedures
  • Control narratives
  • Scope of work documents
  • I/O listings
  • Network and architecture drawings
  • Communications data maps
  • Cutover procedures
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, machine safety circuit drawings, P&IDs, motor elementaries, instrument loop sheets, equipment drawings, and control system documentation.
• Assist with fieldwork to gather equipment information, evaluate existing safety systems, and retrieve existing control system configurations.
• Review other discipline drawings and documentation for Controls & Automation and machine safety input.
• Assist with developing controls and machine safety hardware installation documentation from vendor equipment drawings and project information.
• Develop an understanding of industrial control systems and their interaction with safety-related control systems.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting to teammates and clients for machine safety and control system issues.
• Contact and interact with vendors regarding machine safety components, applications, and technical issues.
• Provide technical guidance to less experienced teammates and Co-Ops as appropriate.
• Demonstrate good time management and effectively prioritize assigned tasks.
• Apply Hargrove Policies and Procedures (HMS).

Ideal Background

Education: Associate of Science degree in Electronics Technology, Information Technology, Automation, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field is highly preferred or may be required. Equivalent technical education and relevant industrial experience may be considered.

Registration: TÜV Functional Safety, CMSE, CFSE, ISA, Master Electrician, Microsoft, Cisco, or other relevant controls, automation, electrical, or machine safety certifications are preferred.

Experience: This position requires 5 to 8 years of relevant industrial experience in controls and automation, electrical controls, industrial automation, or machine safety, with demonstrated experience in industrial machine safety, safety-related control systems, machine safety risk assessments, or automation safety applications preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to conduct or support machine safety audits and risk assessments.
• Experience with Sistema or other machine safety risk calculation methodologies.
• Working knowledge of industrial machine safety principles and safety-related control systems.
• Knowledge of machine safety hardware, software, and safety-related control technologies.
• Understanding of the difference between standard control functions and safety-related control functions.
• Ability to understand and troubleshoot safety circuits and safety devices.
• Familiarity with safety-rated PLCs, safety relays, safety I/O, safety controllers, and safety-rated field devices.
• Understanding of Safety Performance Level (PL) and/or Safety Integrity Level (SIL) concepts.
• Familiarity with machine safety validation, testing, and documentation.
• Familiarity with applicable machine safety standards and regulations, including ANSI B11, NFPA 79, ISO 13849, IEC 62061, and OSHA requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, machine safety circuits, P&IDs, control system documentation, and equipment drawings.
• Basic to intermediate knowledge of PLCs and industrial automation systems.
• Ability to provide basic troubleshooting for control and safety systems, including:
  • Software problems in the field
  • Networking problems in the field
  • I/O problems in the field
  • Hardware issues in the field
  • Safety circuit faults
  • Safety device faults
• Familiarity with industrial communication networks and protocols.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information verbally and in writing.
• Ability to estimate and/or forecast completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to work effectively in a virtual and multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to mentor Co-Ops and less experienced teammates.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry in excess of 25 lbs.
• Ability to travel by vehicle and/or commercial flight, including overnight trips.
• Ability to work in industrial and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to access equipment, machinery, electrical panels, control panels, and other field equipment as required.
• Ability to safely perform field observations, assessments, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities while following applicable site safety requirements.

Hargrove Culture

We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.

Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.

As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.