Project Field Engineer II

Who are we at AEROFARMS:
AeroFarms is transforming agriculture with people and the planet in mind. As a Certified B Corporation and a pioneer in indoor vertical farming, we use the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and plant biology to fix our broken food system and improve the way fresh produce is grown. Leading the industry, AeroFarms has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies five years in a row, topped Fortune Magazine’s 2022 Change the World Company List and recognized as one of the 95 “Brands That Matter” by Fast Company. We have built a proprietary agriculture platform to grow a wide array of products, delivering superior flavor, better quality, and improved nutrition with the highest levels of traceability and food safety in our industry. Now in over 1,000+ store fronts across the nation, we are scaling our award-winning brand and technology both nationally and internationally.
As AeroFarms approaches our next phase of explosive growth, we seek out creative, motivated humans who run toward problems without hesitation to find creative solutions. Join us to change the world as we grow the best plants possible for the betterment of humanity.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically skilled Field Engineer to support our indoor farming operating and maintenance efforts, with a primary focus on Microgreen products. In this role, you will be responsible for performing Installations, Testing and Qualifications of Automated Production Equipment while collaborating with Operations, Design Engineering and FSQA teams. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in Elevating Facility Productivity, Efficiency and Safety while reporting directly to the Sr. Director of Field Engineering.
Shift: Flexible Depending on Project Requirements, May Involve Rotating to Nights periodically or Working on Weekends when necessary.
Responsibilities:
1. Safety and Compliance

• Help in the development of a safety culture through the adherence and promotion of safety standards and consistent use of PPE to comply with company protocols including the handling of chemicals, working at elevated heights, and movement of bulk materials
• Use of protective fall harness and tie off when working at elevated levels
• Safely interact with Growing Systems and Automation, Plumbing and Mechanical systems to assist in the ongoing operation of our Vertical Farm
• Monitoring of Automated Equipment performance
• Interfacing with automated systems such as 6-Axis Robots, ASRS system, Conveyors, Power Distribution Systems and Control Panels.
• Identify and solve issues with production equipment to make the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment easier and safer
• Report any safety or compliance issues to the appropriate personnel

• Meet with vendors, clients and internal stakeholders to develop project scopes, outline project plans and communicate needs to internal stakeholders
• Develop project schedules and resource requirements
• Provide feedback to design engineers to improve Electrical/Mechanical Functionality
• Analyze operating data, equipment functionality/programming and safety of operating conditions to develop improvements
• Offer technical support and troubleshooting of on-site issues
• Oversee equipment testing, maintenance, installation and planning
• Develop and integrate electrical/mechanical upgrades to current equipment through the development of electrical/control drawings, ladder logic and validation requirements
• Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) requirements and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) requirements

• Develop and perform Maintenance procedures
• Train Operations and Maintenance Personnel on processes to improve facility performance and reliability

• Maintain accurate records of operating conditions, maintenance activities, and any issues encountered.
• Test and record critical parameters and chemical concentration
• Communicate performance metrics to supervisors and management.
• Track project timelines, budgets and hours to provide detailed reports on project status
• Use data analysis and presentation skills to prove value of implementations
• Use project data or production analysis to determine return of investment for improvement opportunities

• Execute any other task deemed necessary by the Head Grower
• Work with supervisor to align on schedule to align with project priorities which may involve work after production hours or on weekends

• 2-4 year Engineering Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Controls Engineering
• Proven experience in operating and improving automated systems
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
• Familiarity with safety protocols and compliance standards
• Familiarity with Hand and/or Power Tools
• Expertise with Mechanical Drawings or Assemblies, reading of blueprints and understanding of measurements and specifications
• Ability to work independently and adapt to changing conditions
• Willingness to work in a physically demanding and wet environment, including standing, lifting and bending and be flexible with timing to execute on projects during non-production hours
• Working at elevated heights
• Preferred: Prior experience in a similar role within a Food Manufacturing or Industrial settings

As the Field Engineer II, you will contribute to the advancement of indoor farming practices and the development of high-quality leafy green products. Your technical expertise and data management skills will be instrumental in conducting successful growing trials and contributing to the success of our production efforts.

In accordance with organizational protocol, employees will at times be required to fill absences in the operation process that are equal to or lower than their positional hierarchy. Additionally, if an employee is absent, the role of the absent employee is to be completed by their immediate superior.