Automation and Controls Engineer

The Swan Food Company; Sioux Falls, Northern (SD, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement options

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer for our new Sioux Falls facility. You will lead electrical, automation, and control systems, driving projects from concept to startup and ensuring safe, reliable production.

In this role, you will establish standards for PLCs, HMI, and SCADA, mentor technicians, and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Sanitation teams to improve plant reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering; ABET accreditation preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in automation, controls, or electrical engineering in manufacturing.
• Experience in food/beverage or CPG industries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the plant SME for automation, controls, and electrical systems.
• Lead automation projects from concept to startup, improving efficiency and product quality.
• Develop and execute strategies for controls systems, industrial networks, and plant floor automation.
• Establish and maintain automation standards, including PLC programming, HMI design, SCADA integration, and control system architecture.
• Drive continuous improvement by optimizing manufacturing processes through automation.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for production equipment and systems.
• Support maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management of production equipment and automation systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve equipment performance and plant reliability.
• Mentor Controls Technicians and maintenance staff with technical training and leadership.
• Ensure compliance with safety, food safety, and regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in capital projects, equipment installations, startups, and system upgrades.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and system records.

Skills

Automation

Controls engineering

Electrical systems

Troubleshooting

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

PLC programming

HMI design

SCADA integration

Industrial networks

Job description

Automation and Controls Engineer

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Our brand-new, 360,000-square-foot Asian-style food manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, SD, is taking shape — and we’re ramping up hiring for key roles. This is your chance to be part of something from the ground up. We’re building a strong, experienced team ready to bring this new site to life and shape its future together.

The Automation & Controls Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership and functional oversight of electrical, automation, and control systems that support food manufacturing operations.

Working with limited supervision, this role develops, implements, and supports automation initiatives that align with the plant's strategic objectives while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient production processes.

As a key technical expert, the Automation & Controls Engineer leads automation and controls projects, supports continuous improvement efforts, and provides advanced troubleshooting expertise for complex production, processing, packaging, and facility systems.

This position serves as a critical resource for the design, operation, maintenance, and optimization of automated manufacturing equipment and control systems.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as the plant's subject matter expert for automation, controls, and electrical systems, providing technical leadership and support across manufacturing operations.
• Lead the planning, execution, and implementation of automation and controls projects that improve operational efficiency, reliability, productivity, and product quality.
• Develop and execute short and long-term strategies for controls systems, industrial networks, and plant floor automation technologies.
• Establish and maintain automation standards, including PLC programming, HMI design, SCADA integration, and control system architecture.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to optimize manufacturing processes through automation and technology solutions.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for production equipment, controls hardware, instrumentation, robotics, networking infrastructure, and power distribution systems.
• Support the maintenance, reliability, and lifecycle management of production equipment and automation systems.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, Safety, and Sanitation teams to improve equipment performance and plant reliability.
• Mentor and develop Controls Technicians and maintenance personnel by providing technical training, coaching, and leadership support.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, safety standards, food safety requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Participate in capital projects, equipment installations, startups, commissioning activities, and system upgrades.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation, electrical schematics, network diagrams, and control system records.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering required, preferably Electrical Engineering. Other engineering disciplines such as Mechanical or Chemical Engineering may be considered.
• Degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Automation, Controls, or Electrical Engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting industrial control systems, automation technologies, and electrical systems.
• Food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry experience strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting plant operations in a fast-paced industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience leading automation projects from concept through implementation and startup.

What We Offer:

The base salary range for this position is $75,000 to $125,000 annually with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus; that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to education, skills, work experience, certifications, geography, etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

CJ Schwan’s and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers.

All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, national origin, or any other protected characteristic.

We provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.

For accommodation requests or assistance with the application, please email [e-mail].