Wade Higgins
Phenix City,USA
Summary
Proactive Automation Engineer Leader possessing in-depth knowledge of PLC and Robotics with best practices for development. Solutions-based collaborator well-versed in testing and simulating automated machinery, developing, and implementing automated testing methodologies and supervising testing activities. Offering 15 years of experience creating and applying technology to monitor and control production and over 20 years’ experience in industrial electrical and control wiring.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Maintenance Manager
Sierra Pacific Windows
Phenix City, AL
06.2024 - Current
- Lead department of 15; 1 supervisor, 1 clerk, 4 Electricians, 9 Millwrights
- Plan projects for new machine layouts based on the AutoCAD model.
- Oversee development over the Preventative Maintenance program using COGZ CMMs software.
- Manage and train the Maintenance team on our work order system to maximize efficiency.
- Manage development of repair parts inventory.
- Assist in development of safety programs for equipment.
- Partnered with Plant Manager to establish LOTO system and safety apparel for team.
- Order necessary materials and parts for installation of equipment.
- Oversee utilities to new equipment.
- Modify PLC programs and control communications for various used/new equipment to operate as a line.
- Oversee electrical installations from 1600a 480v switchgear down to 120/208v 40a panels.
- Manage Maintenance Department part/material spending budget.
Maintenance Supervisor 2
Baxter Healthcare
Opelika, AL
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Lead 16 maintenance technicians, 4 preventative maintenance technicians and 2 rebuild technicians.
- Daily high-level troubleshooting.
- Maintenance MRO supplies.
- Develop a necessary part list.
- Review and approve team members' timecards and vacation requests.
- Develop PM’s protocols for new equipment.
- Assisted Purchasing Department to cross obsolete parts to new parts.
- Trained maintenance technicians in replacement of HMIs.
- Oversaw calibration of sensors for temperature and pressure in testing and sterilization process.
Engineering Technologist 2
Baxter Healthcare
Opelika, AL
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Mapped facility for Autonomous Mobile Robot project.
- Created project plans for AMR project installation.
- Produced all UR robot programs.
- Developed AMR program.
- Wrote work instructions for interacting with AMRs and URs.
- Edited PLC programs to communicate to the AMRs.
- Call for inspection, give a pass or fail result.
- Rotating on-call master technician for high level maintenance issues.
- Developed wiring for communication of Sepro Robot to Milacron injection molding machine.
- Wrote PLC program for conveyor communication to Sepro robot.
- Upgraded obsolete Siemens Master drives to Siemens S120 drives.
Automation Engineer
Aptar/CSP Technologies
Auburn, AL
01.2017 - 01.2022
- Exercised complete understanding of PLC programming to support projects.
- Assessed equipment for proper operation and freedom from defects.
- Supported Engineering and Maintenance departments with training and technical support.
- Updated and maintained project documentation for detailed recordkeeping.
- Configured and optimized industrial processes from inception through certification.
- Troubleshooting, fixed, and improved electrical controls.
- Collaborated with systems engineers to determine machine requirements and develop specifications for user interface, machine functions and quality control to deliver reliable automation systems.
- Assisted maintenance personnel with complex troubleshooting.
- Met with project managers to assess scope and sequence of project.
- Discussed requirements and processes with project managers.
- Expert in camera installation and setup.
- Maintained, debugged, and optimized automation programs.
- Schedule and assist manufacturers in commissioning new equipment.
- Managed third-party contractors, inspecting completed work and ongoing efforts to confirm quality and adherence to prescribed guidelines.
Process Engineer
RAPA LP
Auburn, AL
05.2014 - 01.2017
- Supervised work of contracted employees to keep on task for timely completion.
- Established and maintained high-impact professional relationships with German contractors and diverse coworkers, strengthening teamwork and driving successful project outcomes.
- Exercised complete understanding of PLC programming to support projects.
- Supported Engineering and Maintenance departments with training and technical support.
- Updated and maintained project documentation for detailed recordkeeping.
- Configured and optimized industrial processes from inception through certification.
- Reviewed all test cases and test scripts for quality and identified additional areas to review.
- Troubleshooting, fixed, and improved electrical controls.
- Assisted maintenance personnel with complex troubleshooting.
- Monitored data on system functionality and reported to Quality Management.
- Debugged and optimized automation programs.
- Expert in camera system set up.
Automation Engineer
Borbet Alabama
Auburn, AL
07.2006 - 05.2014
- Exercised complete understanding of PLC programming to support projects.
- Supported Engineering and Maintenance departments with training and technical support.
- Utilized comprehensive understanding of Siemens Step 7 to produce code.
- Troubleshooting, fixed, and improved electrical controls.
- Assisted maintenance personnel with complex troubleshooting.
- Supported facility and process equipment engineering and integration.
- Developed and implemented cost-effective strategies for updating existing applications.
- Developed, configured, and optimized industrial processes from inception through certification.
- Maintained, debugged, and optimized robot programs.
- Exercised best practices and innovative solutions to increase production rates.
Education
Certificate of Industrial Electricity - Industrial Electronics Technology
Southern Union State
Opelika05.2000
Skills
- Designing interfaces
- Testing scripts
- Robotics
- Technical Support
- Solution development
- Automated Data Collection
- Automation
- Project oversight
- Inspection Camera installation and setup
- Control systems understanding
- Object-oriented solutions
- Microcontroller: AB SLC 500, Siemens S7 200
- Programming Suites: S7 300/400, KRC417/51
- Visualization Tools: WinCC Flexible 2008 SP2, C micro and Power Flex
- Proficient Programming Knowledge: Sepro Visual 2, Kuka Robot Language (KRL) and Ladder Logic, Statement List, Banner Inspection Manager
- Working Platforms: Windows 10, Microsoft Office
Certification
- S7 TIA Programming 1, 01/01/11
- S7 TIA Programming 2, 01/01/12
- Kuka Basic Programming, 01/01/08
- Kuka Advanced Programming, 01/01/11
- Kuka Expert Programming, 01/01/12
- Cognex Basic Programming, 01/01/16
- OSHA 10 hr. training, 01/01/16
- MiR robotics expert programming, 01/01/22
Timeline
Maintenance Manager
Sierra Pacific Windows
06.2024 - Current
Maintenance Supervisor 2
Baxter Healthcare
01.2023 - 05.2024
Engineering Technologist 2
Baxter Healthcare
01.2022 - 01.2023
Automation Engineer
Aptar/CSP Technologies
01.2017 - 01.2022
Process Engineer
RAPA LP
05.2014 - 01.2017
Automation Engineer
Borbet Alabama
07.2006 - 05.2014
Certificate of Industrial Electricity - Industrial Electronics Technology
Southern Union State