About HCC/CCI

Henry Crown & Company/CC Industries is a Chicago-based, privately-held company that manages business, philanthropic, and family interests on behalf of a multi-generational family. The business ventures fall into broadly-defined categories: wholly-owned operating companies, public and private equity investments, and real estate. The enterprise also supports individual and collective giving through Crown Family Philanthropies and provides traditional family office services across generations. The enterprise employs approximately 350 professionals in the areas of investment management, corporate development, financial operations, tax, research and innovation, human resources, information technologies, and legal. 

Why work for us?

We are a private enterprise with more than a 100-year legacy and track record of financial success, supporting our communities, and taking care of our employees. We plan strategically with a long-term time horizon and an integrated approach to access superior opportunities and optimize financial results. Integrity, collaboration, and dedication are cornerstones of our workplace culture that create rewarding professional experiences. 

Position Description

At the CCI Research and Innovation Center (CCI R&I Center), our systems automation researchers work directly with multi-disciplinary project teams to understand key manufacturing challenges and determine how digital technologies can be used to solve them. This includes problem assessment & technology evaluation, application development and testing, automation, integration, prototyping, and more. Our team members are an integral part of the Center eco-system, contributing to a dynamic environment of multiple projects, collaborating with colleagues from various CCI partnering companies, Virginia Tech faculty & students, suppliers, and other applied research centers.

The Sr Adaptive Controls Engineer will contribute to the team by applying their knowledge and skills, tempered by industrial experiences, to shape durable solutions. These include applications of process monitoring and control, advanced automation, and new sensing techniques to drive automation into processes. These solutions will contribute to developing this individual as a subject matter expert in the adaptive control and motion control applications.

Responsibilities:

• Transform customer specifications into proof-of-concept demonstrations.
• Design factory automation and coordinated systems including hardware integration and programming using off the shelf industrial automation hardware and drives (Siemens, Rockwell, etc.).
• Contribute to overall design and analysis using available technology tools and analytical methods (brainstorming, thought experimentation, etc.).
• Collaborate with Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineers to optimize system performance and machine process state sequencing to provide intuitive machine controls.
• Genuine enthusiasm for the application of research to adding value to manufacturing processes and product development.
• Employ best engineering practices in the conception, design, and analysis of automated solutions.
• Provide training to users in the operation and diagnostics of the systems as Subject Matter Expert
• Maintain a safe working environment and utilize safe work practices in the office, manufacturing spaces, and at production facilities.
• Collaborate and support partner companies’ partners throughout project lifecycle.
• Experience with the implementation of advanced analytical and control techniques such as statistical process control, model predictive control, artificial intelligence, machine learning, precision motion control of mechanisms, etc.
• Experience collaborating with multiple shareholders from partnering companies.
• Establish and maintain a network within the partnering companies and collaborative partners.
• Assume responsibility to continually improve your efficiency and skills.
• Participate in user groups and industrial societies.

Qualifications:

• BS Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or similar Engineering
• 7+ years in a manufacturing environment
• Team leadership and project management experience is preferred
• Vision system tools (Cognex, Keyence Vision Tools), 3D CAD (SolidWorks), Analysis (MATLAB), PLC programming, (Siemens, Allen Bradly, Beckhoff). Knowledge of ISO 9001, Lean 6Sigma
• Holistic approach to advanced manufacturing systems design & implementation, including mechanism design, system analysis, inspection requirements, and control strategies.
• Experience relevant to manufacturing automation systems, utilizing vision, robotics, sensors, and data analysis with a proven track record of implementation of same.
• Experience implementing Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) related technologies to develop adaptive processes utilizing actionable data-based algorithms. (Industry 4.0)
• Effective communicator with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Excels at problem definition; able to work effectively with open ended or ambiguous problem statements and/or applications and be comfortable in adapting strategies according to results.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; clearly conveys ideas at both technical and non-technical levels; must be an active listener.
• Ability to design factory automation and coordinated drive systems including hardware integration and programming using off the shelf industrial automation hardware and drives (Siemens, Rockwell, etc.). 
• Ability to contribute to overall (systems, electrical & mechanical) design and analysis using available technology tools (such as, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Excel, etc.) and analytical methods (brainstorming, thought experimentation, etc.).
• Employ best engineering practices in the conception, design, and analysis of automated solutions. 
• Approaches work with a collaborative, team first mentality; proactive, positive with a can-do attitude.
• An effective steward of project budgets and schedules.  Project Management and Capex purchasing experience a plus.
• Contribute to the development of the group through mentorship
• Ability to travel 25% of the time

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability and BIPOC are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At CC Industries we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.