United States Steel Corporation

Automation Engineer - Quench & Temper

United States Steel Corporation • $80K — $95K *
Fairfield, AL 35064In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years in manufacturing automation, controls engineering, or related roles preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with PLC/HMI programming and industrial control systems.
  • Experience in a heavy manufacturing, steel, heat treat, or thermal processing environment preferred.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and optimize automation solutions for Quench & Temper projects.
  • Program and support PLCs and industrial control systems used in operations.
  • Partner with Engineering and vendors on automation design and integration.
  • Support Factory and Site Acceptance Testing and commissioning of systems.
  • Collaborate with teams to ensure systems meet operational and quality standards.
  • Integrate process data and visibility tools to enhance performance monitoring.
  • Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for automation-related issues.

Benefits

  • Hands-on experience with advanced automation technologies.
  • Exposure to high-volume manufacturing processes within a leading steel company.
  • Opportunity to work cross-functionally with diverse teams and projects.
  • Commitment to safety and operational excellence in a challenging environment.
  • Potential for professional growth through continuous improvement initiatives.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Position Summary:
  • The Automation Engineer - Quench & Temper will provide hands-on automation, controls, and technical support for capital project execution within Quench & Temper (Q&T) operations at Fairfield Works - Tubular. This role will help design, program, integrate, test, commission, and optimize automated systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient Q&T operations.
  • The Automation Engineer will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, vendors, contractors, and plant leadership to ensure automation systems are ready for startup and sustainable long-term operation. This role will support PLC/HMI programming, controls troubleshooting, sensor and instrumentation integration, process data visibility, operating procedure development, and training for management and hourly employees impacted by new or modified Q&T equipment.
Responsibilities:
  • Design, develop, test, deploy, and optimize automation and controls solutions for Quench & Temper capital projects and related operational improvements.
  • Program, troubleshoot, and support PLCs, HMIs, industrial control systems, drives, sensors, instrumentation, and equipment interfaces used in Q&T operations.
  • Partner with Engineering and vendors to review automation design, control narratives, electrical drawings, equipment specifications, network architecture, process parameters, and integration requirements.
  • Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, punch-list resolution, and turnover of automation systems to Operations and Maintenance.
  • Collaborate with Q&T Operations and Quality teams to ensure automated systems support process control, inspection requirements, product consistency, equipment performance, and customer specification needs.
  • Lead Finishing Floor #3, IPS (Internal Processing Storage), and Quench & Temper automation initiatives, including integration of new technologies with existing operational and control systems.
  • Integrate process data, dashboards, alarms, trends, recipes, and reporting tools to improve visibility to Q&T performance, downtime drivers, quality trends, and process variation.
  • Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for automation, controls, instrumentation, and equipment interface issues that impact safety, uptime, throughput, or product quality.
  • Provide hands-on support to production and maintenance teams in a fast-paced, high-volume manufacturing environment, including off-shift support when required by project or operational needs.
  • Develop and maintain technical documentation, including control logic descriptions, operating instructions, troubleshooting guides, training materials, change documentation, and commissioning records.
  • Support development and execution of training plans for operators, maintenance employees, and front-line leaders on new automation systems, HMIs, alarms, control sequences, and standard work expectations.
  • Work with cross-functional project teams to support scope development, execution planning, equipment readiness, startup planning, process stabilization, and sustained performance after implementation.
  • Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities related to automation reliability, controls standardization, equipment capability, data integrity, process control, and operational efficiency.
  • Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring automation and controls work is executed in alignment with safety, environmental, quality, cybersecurity, and operating standards.
  • Communicate project risks, automation readiness gaps, controls issues, and implementation status clearly to project stakeholders and plant leadership.
Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent relevant automation, controls, or manufacturing experience may be considered.
  • Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing automation, controls engineering, industrial maintenance, process automation, or related experience is preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with PLC/HMI programming, industrial control systems, troubleshooting, and equipment startup support.
  • Experience supporting automation in a heavy manufacturing, steel, heat treat, thermal processing, or industrial production environment is preferred.
  • Strong analytical, technical troubleshooting, problem-solving, planning, and execution skills.
  • Effective communication and documentation skills with the ability to work across Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain, vendors, contractors, and plant leadership.
  • Ability to support commissioning, startup, outages, project installations, and a 24/7 manufacturing environment, including weekend, holiday, off-shift, or extended-hour support as business needs require.
  • Demonstrated commitment to safety, environmental compliance, quality, cybersecurity, and operational discipline.
Preferred but Not Required Experience:
  • Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC/HMI platforms.
  • Experience integrating sensors, instrumentation, drives, control panels, industrial networks, data historians, dashboards, alarms, and process monitoring systems.
  • Exposure to Quench & Temper operations, heat treatment, seamless pipe, OCTG, finishing operations, steel manufacturing, or other thermal processing environments.
  • Knowledge of process control, SPC (Statistical Process Control), metrology, process capability, manufacturing analytics, Tableau, Minitab, or similar tools.
  • Experience supporting capital projects, vendor coordination, equipment installation, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, and transition-to-operations activities.
  • Experience developing training materials, standard work, troubleshooting guides, or competency sign-off documentation for operators, maintenance employees, or front-line leaders.
  • Lean Six Sigma training, continuous improvement experience, or structured root cause analysis capability.
  • Experience working effectively with union-represented employees, operations leaders, maintenance teams, contractors, and technical support functions.


Competency Summary

At U. S. Steel all employees are expected to display the following core competencies every day to advance corporate, team and individual goals:

Think: Think Critically and Drive Change
Lead: Develop Talent and Collaborate
Do: Empower Performance and Deliver Results

About United States Steel Corporation

United States Steel Corporation is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada and Central Europe and an annual raw steelmaking capability of 27 million net tons. The company manufactures a wide range of value-added steel sheet and tubular products for the automotive, appliance, container, industrial machinery, construction, and oil and gas industries.

United States Steel Corporation Careers

Join the robust team at United States Steel Corporation, a leader in the steel industry, and propel your career to new heights with a company renowned for its commitment to innovation, leadership, and sustainability.

Work You’ll Do

At United States Steel Corporation, you will be part of a dynamic team that drives our legacy of innovation forward. Engage in work that shapes the future of the industry and contributes to sustainable solutions that impact the world. Our diverse workforce is committed to excellence and achieving superior results through teamwork and leadership.

Transform Your Career

United States Steel Corporation offers a unique platform for professionals to lead in the marketplace by combining industry expertise, leadership skills, and a commitment to innovation and growth. Our team members are at the forefront of the steel industry, driving change and transforming our operations to stay ahead of global demands.

Innovative Work Environment

Join our team of dedicated professionals who are not only experts in steel production but also pioneers in environmental stewardship and advanced manufacturing processes. Our commitment to innovation is evident in every project and strategy that drives United States Steel Corporation forward.

Be Part of a Great Team

United States Steel Corporation is not just a company; it’s a community. Here, you will find a culture that values diversity, leadership, and professional growth. Our team is made up of skilled professionals from various backgrounds, all contributing to our collective success. We offer extensive benefits, diversity training, and opportunities for career advancement.

Future-Proof Your Career

With United States Steel Corporation, your career path is filled with limitless opportunities for advancement. We support our team members with unmatched training, development programs, and leadership opportunities designed to foster professional growth and innovation.

Explore Job Opportunities

Whether you’re looking for a position in engineering, management, or production, United States Steel Corporation offers a variety of job opportunities to fit your skills and career goals. We are committed to hiring and developing the best talent to maintain our position as a leader in the steel industry.

United States Steel Corporation Employment Experience

Our hiring process is designed to identify and attract professionals who are passionate, curious, and driven. From the moment you submit your resume and throughout the interview process, you will experience a transparent and respectful journey. We value the skills and perspectives each team member brings to our company.

Stay Connected

Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players who are ready to take their career to the next level.

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Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with United States Steel Corporation’s internship programs. Gain valuable industry experience, build your professional network, and develop skills that will set you apart in the job market.

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Learn more about United States Steel Corporation
Size
24,540 employees
Market Cap
$6.1 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
-$1.1 billion
Founded
1901
5 Year Trend
+14.6%
Revenue
$9.7 billion
NASDAQ
X
* Ladders Estimates

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