Okay, I've searched for Factory Automation Engineer roles in Grovetown, GA, onsite, requiring 3+ years of experience with PLC programming, Python, and Ignition SCADA, within the manufacturing industry. I have found 37 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Factory Automation Engineer role at John Deere is fundamentally aimed at designing, implementing, and supporting advanced factory automation systems to enhance manufacturing productivity and operational efficiency. This position requires a combination of hands-on technical expertise and strategic oversight in industrial control systems, including PLC programming (specifically Rockwell Studio 5000), industrial robotics programming, and MES integration—a critical nexus for connecting shop floor equipment to enterprise systems. The engineer is not only a technical executor but also a problem solver who leads root cause analysis of complex production issues, requiring strong troubleshooting skills and a deep understanding of automation communications and configurations. Success here means delivering reliable automation solutions that minimize downtime, improve data-driven decision-making through tools like Python for data analysis, and enable seamless human-machine interfaces. The role’s responsibilities imply frequent cross-functional collaboration, requiring coordination with project leads, suppliers, and production teams to align factory automation innovations with operational needs. Demonstrated experience with Ignition SCADA, SQL for supervisory controls, and Microsoft Power Apps suggests an expectation to blend traditional industrial engineering with modern data visualization and app development for user-friendly factory systems. The role demands autonomy in decision-making concerning system design and troubleshooting while balancing immediate production support and longer-term project deliverables. The 20% travel highlights the need for flexibility and onsite problem-solving at various plant locations. Overall, the candidate should be prepared not just to apply technical skills but to continuously refine automation processes in a complex, fast-evolving manufacturing environment tied to John Deere’s commitment to feeding a growing global population.

Company Analysis:

John Deere is a globally recognized leader in agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturing, known for its innovation, commitment to sustainability, and robust global presence. The company occupies a strategic space at the intersection of advanced technology and traditional manufacturing, driving digital transformation to meet the growing global demand for food and infrastructure. This positioning means the Factory Automation Engineer role is embedded in a company culture that values innovation, technical excellence, and mission-driven work focused on addressing societal challenges such as urbanization and food security. John Deere’s culture likely combines stability and heritage with a progressive, technology-forward mindset—fostering an environment where engineers are empowered to think creatively while applying rigorous engineering discipline. The emphasis on inclusivity and employee development, reflected in offerings like tuition assistance and flexible work arrangements, indicates a supportive culture prioritizing career growth and work-life balance. Organizationally, this role sits within the technology function and represents a critical individual contributor and possibly project leadership position, interfacing across manufacturing, engineering, and IT functions with visibility into enterprise manufacturing strategies. The role's strategic alignment centers on scaling and refining factory automation capabilities to improve manufacturing throughput and quality, directly enabling John Deere’s larger mission of feeding the future. Candidates should view this position as both a technical challenge and an opportunity to significantly influence how John Deere’s factories operate in a data-driven, connected manufacturing era.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to lead a root cause analysis for a complex production automation issue. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to collaborate across multiple teams (e.g., production, IT, suppliers) to implement an automation solution. What challenges arose and how did you manage them?
• Behavioral: Give an example of when you had to balance urgent day-to-day production support with longer-term automation project goals. How did you prioritize your work?
• Behavioral: Share an instance where you had to learn and apply a new technology quickly to solve a problem on the factory floor.
• Technical: How do you approach programming PLCs using Rockwell Studio 5000 to ensure reliable machine connectivity and minimize communication issues?
• Technical: Explain your experience with Ignition SCADA and SQL in designing supervisory control systems. What are key factors you consider for efficient data acquisition and system stability?
• Technical: Walk me through the process of developing a custom Microsoft Power App to improve a factory automation workflow. How do you ensure it enhances operational efficiency?
• Technical: Describe how you leverage Python for factory automation data analysis. What types of insights have you generated and how did they impact decision-making?
• Situational: Imagine a critical manufacturing line goes down due to a PLC communication failure. How would you diagnose and resolve this issue under production pressure?
• Situational: You’re tasked with integrating a new robotic system with existing MES and PLC infrastructure, but discover unexpected incompatibilities. How do you handle this?
• Situational: If presented with conflicting priorities between urgent production fixes and a scheduled automation upgrade project, how would you navigate and communicate your decisions?
• Company Fit: Why are you interested in working at John Deere and how do you see this role contributing to the company’s mission to feed the rapidly growing population?
• Company Fit: John Deere emphasizes innovation and inclusivity. How do you personally embody these values in your engineering and collaboration style?
• Company Fit: Given John Deere’s focus on long-term global challenges, how do you think factory automation engineering can make a meaningful impact here?
• Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe how the factory automation engineering team collaborates with other business units such as manufacturing and IT at John Deere?
• Questions for Interviewer: What are the key challenges John Deere anticipates in scaling factory automation in the next 2–3 years, and how would this role contribute to overcoming them?
• Questions for Interviewer: How does John Deere support continuous learning and development for engineers working on cutting-edge automation technologies?