Job Information
Actalent Controls / Automation Engineer in San Diego, California
Title: Automation / Controls Engineer
Position Summary:
Define, analyze, and validate deterministic solutions for large scale, fail-safe motion control systems
Specify, design, and implement operator intensive, safety-critical control software using real-time operating systems
Install, integrate, and test high capacity, man-rated control systems domestically and overseas
Position Responsibilities:
Define, analyze, and validate deterministic solutions for large scale, fail-safe motion control systems
System Definition
Distill early show concepts into realizable functionality then integrate into Ride Requirements
Create and thoroughly analyze Track Layouts and Ride Systems which achieve challenging Capacity, Robustness, Operability, and Maintainability requirements
Control System Architecture
Ride Control Systems Functional Block Diagram
Hardware/Software Tradeoffs
Hardware/Software division of work
I/O Lists
Detailed Design Specifications
Sub-System Decomposition
Functional Requirements and how they will be achieved
Interface Requirements
Fault Handling
Interface Control Documents
Describes internal and external interfaces of the Ride Control System (sensors, motors, door security, station gates, etc.).
Physical interface (data type, pin assignments, signal levels, protocols, etc.).
Logical interface (definition of each state or message).
Data rates (as applicable).
Function.
Timing considerations and restraints.
Design and Develop Ride Control Systems Documents and Drawings
Layout, Location and Interface Drawings
Electrical Enclosures and OCC Locations
Wiring Harness Routing/ Connector Locations
Ride Control Equipment List
Sizes
Power Requirements
Heat Loads (waste heat for AC)
Equipment Layout/ Location (EER, Backstage, Show Space) Includes, equipment space requirements, access space requirements, mounting details for the following types of components:
Control boxes
Termination boxes
Sensors
Actuators
Charging plates
Motor control cabinets (RMCC)
Ride Control Electrical Interconnect Drawings and Cable Schedule
Drawings that show single line connections between all ride control assemblies and equipment.
Point-to-point cable schedule
Cable/Conduit Requirements and Locations/ Cable Tray Routing
Separation requirements between AC power
DC power
Controls and emergency power
I/O Cross Reference
A list of input/output points and connections within the RCS/ride interface.
Electrical Calculations
Develop calculations based on electrical loading of the systems to assure sufficient power and signal qualities are available to the ride electrical and electronic systems.
Single Line Schematics/ Wiring Diagrams
Power system single line diagrams and schematics
Ride Power System and Equipment Voltage Determination
Power system single line diagrams and schematics
Ride Power System Propulsion Method Determination. Document and describe how the propulsion system determination is made from the following options:
Linear Induction Motors (LIM)
Linear Synchronous Motors (LSM)
Single Large Variable Frequency Drive
Omni Mover
Conventional Induction Motors (lifts, pacers, boosters)
Energized Bus Bar
Inductive Bus Bar
Power Storage / Charging Stations
Hybrid combination of methods.
Ride Power System Details. Detailed list and description of the following items:
Power load profile including impulses, peaks, and durations.
Variable frequency drive type to be used for LIM or LSM systems (IGBT, 6 pulse, 12 pulse)
Variable frequency drive characteristics including rating in kW, physical size, conduit and cable entries requirements.
Input power disconnect location and rating.
RCC cabinet quantities, sizes, conduit and cable entries.
Braking resistors to be used with power regen back into facility system. Resistor cabinet size, weight, conduit and cable entry requirements.
Shunt trip or under voltage trip on ride system incoming breaker or on upstream facility breaker.
Harmonic filter design to meet IEEE 519. Identify filter design method (active or passive) & location. Must meet 5% THD of voltage and 5% TDD (total demand distortion) when the ratio of system short circuit to system load is less than 20.
Power Storage / Charging System Details. Charging system details as follows:
Charger size and rating
Charging plate locations
DC cable requirements
Power cable requirements
Fixed backstage charging station location
Emergency Power. Identification of need for emergency or UPS power:
Lifts
Flume pumps
Controls
Launch systems
Propulsion drive equipment
Ride Power System Specialty Transformers. Identification and requirements of special transformers:
Dedicated transformers isolated from facility power.
Characteristics for LIM or LSM system transformers (30° phase shift, delta and wye secondary's, single transformer with two secondary windings or 2 separate transformers).
Ride Control System Trackside Technology. Determination and requirements of trackside ride control technology method:
Bus bar
Leaky coax
Wireless
Hard wired sensors
Wire guided
RFID
Ride Control System Misc. Provide details for the following miscellaneous items:
Dispatch lantern locations and coordination with show
Coordination of facility exit lighting "OFF" and cycle out duration / timing
Ride Facility Intrusion System. Includes system requirements, equipment locations, wiring diagrams and details for the following:
Mats
Sensors
IR Beams
Laser Scans
Main or Tower OCC displays / monitors
Interface with facility or show systems
Ride Controls Drawing Package. Project controls drawing package that includes drawing trees, assemblies, sub-assemblies and component level drawings including, but not limited to, electrical enclosures and locations, wire lists, schematics and wiring diagrams, controls hardware, breakout boxes and control boxes, control interfaces, and ride system interconnects. Some typical drawings are:
Bus Bar Zones/ Block Zones Layout
Indentured Drawing List/ Tree
EER Layout
Mounting Details and Interface Drawings
Rack Configuration Documents
Breakout Box/ Control Box Drawings
Operator Console Layouts
All Bills of Materials and component cut sheets
Plan and Estimate hardware engineering jobs
Budgets, Schedules, and Man Power Plans
Task based estimates
Software Development Plan
Understand / Review Software Documentation (e.g. Software Development Plan, Software Design Documents, C+ and PLC programming Language); Mechanical, Pneumatic and Hydraulic schematics
Hazard Analysis
Failure Identification with associated Consequences and Mitigations
Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Test Strategies and Test Plans
Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) along with estimated durations for each test
Specify, design, and implement operator intensive, safety-critical control software using real time operating systems
Theory of Operation
Multi-discipline operational and functional needs
Use Cases
Install, integrate, and test high capacity, man-rated control systems domestically and overseas
I/O Checkout
System Functions Testing
Fault Testing
Adjusting / Tuning
Acceptance Testing using Earned Value tracking
Must Have Qualifications:
Background in PLC programming / controls engineering
Strong understanding and prior professional hands on experience with electrical engineering
Strong understanding of power distribution
Experience working with and managing vendors and/or original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
Strong understanding of field instrumentation
Systems integration experience
A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree
Additional Desired Qualifications:
Proficient with NEC 70 Code
Proficient with UL508A Standard
Strong Analytical Skills
Physics - Motion Equations / Dynamics
Persistent “What If” Thinker supported by physics, math, diagramming, …
Strong Technical Writing Ability
Strong Team Skills – both able to lead and to follow
More than 5 years additionally requires:
Proven Leader
Real-Time Control Experience (competent at ensuring deterministic system)
Fail-Safe Control Experience (competent at creating safety timing analysis)
Equipment Control Experience (motors, drives, sensors, effectors, servo, …)
Troubleshooting Skills Experience
Proven ability to Multitask
Ability to Innovate Demonstrated
Able to Handle Demanding, Stressful Assignments
Ride Control and/or Theme Park Experience
Detailed Knowledge of similar Industry Standards
Rapid Development and/or Agile Development Techniques
Configuration Management / Version Control Tool Usage
Proficiency at Unified Modeling Language (UML)
Experience with System Modeling Language (SysML)
Proficiency at Matlab
Experience with Safety Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and HMIs
Allen Bradley ControlLogix or GuardLogix (RSLogix)
Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 or Total Integrated Automation (TIA Portal)
Control Theory
Education:
Bachelors Degree (B.S. or B.A.) from an accredited college or university
Science (Physics, Computer Science, …), Engineering, and/or Math
Double Major or Major-Minor highly preferred
Some Physics Coursework (Motion Equations / Dynamics) highly preferred
Some Computer Science Coursework highly preferred
Some Engineering Coursework highly preferred
Control Systems Engineering and/or Control Theory a plus
Hands On Project(s) a plus
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.