Controls Engineer

Job Summary:

The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, documentation, maintenance, and support of manufacturing automation and control systems across process, packaging, and utility operations.
This role provides hands-on technical expertise in PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, drives, instrumentation, and industrial networks to support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.
The Controls Engineer supports capital projects, system upgrades, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives, working closely with Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Engineering, IT, and Corporate Engineering.
This position serves as the plant technical authority for automation systems, ensuring alignment with company standards, Management of Change (MOC) requirements, Automation Change Control (ACC) practices, and cybersecurity expectations.
The Controls Engineer is accountable for improving automation reliability, process control performance, and operational efficiency while maintaining compliance with food safety, GMP, OSHA, NEC, and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards.

Essential Functions of the Job:
Automation & Controls Engineering

Develop, implement, and maintain standardized automation and electrical engineering practices.
Design, program, test, document, and support PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, with primary emphasis on Rockwell Automation / Factory Talk, while supporting other industrial automation platforms as required.
Configure, integrate, and support process control systems for process, utilities, and packaging operations.
Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new or modified automation systems.
Develop and maintain control narratives, functional specifications, PLC control system architecture, and reusable PLC standards, including Add-On Instructions (AOIs).
Implement and support advanced control strategies, including PID tuning, alarm management, and operator interface optimization.
Develop, recommend, and implement automation and control improvements to enhance equipment performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Instrumentation, Drives & Networks

Specify, integrate, and troubleshoot field instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, conductivity, pH, etc.) using best practices aligned with IEEE and IEC standards.
Support calibration activities and coordinate with third-party calibration services in accordance with company standards.
Integrate, configure, and tune VFD and servo motion systems, supporting reliable process control and equipment protection.
Support and troubleshoot industrial control and PC-based networks, including Ether Net/IP, TCP/IP, and Modbus (legacy Device Net exposure a plus).

Reliability, Safety & Compliance

Provide automation and controls expertise in support of maintenance and reliability programs, contributing to asset performance and lifecycle objectives.
Ensure automation systems and work practices comply with OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E, GMP, food safety, and company electrical safety standards.
Participate in and enforce Management of Change (MOC) processes, including Automation Change Control (ACC) for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system modifications.
Serve as a safety role model, promoting safe work practices and continuous improvement in electrical and automation safety.

Collaboration & Support

Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, IT, and Corporate Engineering to resolve process, equipment, and system issues.
Communicate automation system changes, capabilities, and impacts to affected stakeholders, and provide technical training and guidance to Control Technicians, Maintenance, and other technical services departments.
Act as the plant-level technical escalation point for automation-related issues, with clear escalation paths to Corporate Engineering for complex or enterprise-impacting matters.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Associate degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
5+ years of applied industrial automation and controls experience in a manufacturing…