Sr. Corporate Controls and Automation Engineer

Sun Gro Horticulture; Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in horticulture is seeking a Senior Corporate Controls and Automation Engineer to modernize legacy control systems across North American operations. The role involves planning and leading automation upgrades, ensuring system reliability, and collaborating with multiple teams to drive operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial automation.
• Proficient with Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Willingness to travel over 50% for projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead modernization of multi-site controls systems and equipment automation.
• Collaborate with integrators to design and implement automation systems.
• Provide strategic controls support across 16 North American plants.

Skills

Industrial automation

Control system design

PLC programming

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

P.Eng. or CET designation

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Project

FactoryTalk

Inductive Ignition

Job description

Senior Corporate Controls and Automation Engineer

Sun Gro Horticultureis one of the most prominent North American horticultural companies, employing over 800 staff and serving customers worldwide. Since its humble beginnings in 1929, it has become the leading supplier of soilless growing mixes to North America’s top 100 greenhouse and nursery growers, shipping over 70,000 truckloads of product annually. Sun Gro products are made to exacting standards and conform to high product quality and performance criteria.

Sun Gro Horticulturerecognizes that its success is due to the strength of its employees. The primary goal of Sun Gro is to promote individual employees’ sense of accomplishment and contribution so that employees enjoy their association with Sun Gro Horticulture. The Company invests in its employees so that they are the most knowledgeable in the industry, and undertakes great efforts to nurture loyalty to, and teamwork at, Sun Gro.

Location:

Corporate Engineering – Multi-Site Support (Canada & USA)
Ideally based out of an office at a plant, but will depend on where we find the individual. Open to hybrid and remote based.

Job Summary:

Sun Gro Horticulture is seeking a Corporate Controls and Automation Specialist to lead the transformation of legacy and obsolete control systems across its North American manufacturing operations, while supporting critical day-to-day operational controls needs. This individual will play a pivotal role in modernizing plant automation through the design, integration, and deployment of new control platforms, software, hardware and equipment. The successful candidate will work closely with regional engineering teams, plant electrical staff, and third-party integrators to design, implement, and sustain scalable automation solutions that align with corporate standards and drive operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead multi-site controls system modernization and equipment automation journey, migrating from legacy platforms (e.g. Allen Bradley) to current technologies (e.g., Rockwell Factory Talk, Inductive Ignition, etc.).
• Collaborate with integrators to specify, design, test, and implement novel automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, safety systems, and industrial networking solutions.
• Strategic thinker capable of developing concise, detailed upgrade and implementation plans for power and automation related projects and initiatives.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and validation of controls projects including automation upgrades, control panel retrofits, and network architecture improvements.
• Designing or developing new process control systems and revising / maintaining of existing processes; developing and implementing improvement projects; managing and guiding contractors, consultants and suppliers; identifying new opportunities and solutions with cost / benefit analysis and making recommendations to improve efficiencies.
• Provide strategic controls support and troubleshooting to 16 North American plants, ensuring system uptime, performance, and reliability.
• Maintain corporate programming, documentation, drawing standards, and change logs for all automation platforms.
• Design, review, and update electrical schematics, P&IDs, one-line diagrams, and panel layouts in accordance with UL508a, NEC, and NFPA 70E standards.
• Establish predictive and preventive maintenance protocols for automation assets and assist in upskilling local plant technicians.
• Participate in and lead stage gate reviews for controls scope in capital projects. Review vendor documentation, interface specifications, and BOMs for accuracy and alignment with standards.
• Interface with Corporate IT functions to ensure alignment between plant automation and IT infrastructure standards.
• Planning and scheduling of projects and preparing capital expenditures.
• Stay current with emerging technologies in industrial controls and automation. Recommend improvements and assess pilot technologies for scale-up.
• Controls SME for plant maintenance teams across North America.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology diploma. P.Eng. or CET designation preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial automation, with a strong focus on control system migration and design, integration, and plant operations support.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in brown field controls and automation upgrades with time-pressure of an operating plant environment.
  Hands-on commissioning and start up experience required in large-scale upgrade projects (>$10M).
• Expertise in Rockwell Automation (RSView32, FactoryTalk) and Inductive Ignition platform preferred.
• Skilled in interpreting and developing PLC logic, HMI screens, servo motion control, and safety PLC systems.
• Deep knowledge of industrial Ethernet networking, remote I/O systems, and field instrumentation calibration.
• Hands-on experience working with integrators and contractors to implement automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient with AutoCAD, MS Project, Excel, and common controls diagnostic tools.
• Strong communicator with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and provide coaching to junior staff and plant teams.
• Willingness to travel up over 50% for project implementation and on-site support across North America.

Working Conditions:

• Office-based with frequent exposure to manufacturing environments.
• Frequent travel required across North American sites to support project- and business needs.
• Will include exposure to plant conditions such as loud noise, heat, cold, and industrial equipment.