AUTOMATION & CONTROLS ENGINEER

KENT® Precision Foods Group; Muscatine (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in food and beverage manufacturing is seeking a proactive Automation & Controls Engineer to design and implement advanced control systems. This role involves optimizing existing systems and ensuring compliance with safety standards in a dynamic environment. Candidates must possess a Bachelor's in engineering and have significant hands-on experience in automation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on Automation/Controls industrial experience.
• Thorough understanding of safety standards and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to train and support hourly E&I personnel.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance teams to address controls issues.
• Plan, design, and supervise C&I work within assigned areas.
• Troubleshoot process and hardware issues, maintain PLC systems.

Skills

Electrical/controls engineering

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering Practice (Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical)

Tools

PLC and HMI programming

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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Ready to engineer the future with a six-time U.S. Best Managed Company? KENT Worldwide is growing—and we’re looking for a forward-thinking Automation and Controls Engineer to help lead the way! In this high-impact role, you’ll design and implement advanced control systems that power our Food & Beverage and World’s Best Cat Litter operations. From launching new automation to optimizing existing systems, you’ll drive smart manufacturing and efficiency—while upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance. Ready to turn big ideas into real-world impact and have some fun doing it? Join us and help shape the future of automation at KENT Worldwide!

• This position is designed and intended to be performed in Muscatine, IA.
  
  
  

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate regularly with Engineering and Maintenance teams to address plant controls issues, while understanding and upholding all plant rules, safety procedures, and policies relevant to the Controls & Instrumentation (C&I) group.
• Plan, design, and supervise C&I work within assigned areas, ensuring all installations—new and existing—are properly documented and archived in CMMS and EDMS systems.
• Train and support hourly E&I personnel by developing their job-specific skills and ensuring they meet performance expectations.
• Evaluate and manage spare parts inventory, initiating requests as needed, and utilize CMMS for preventive maintenance planning.
• Troubleshoot process and hardware issues, develop and maintain PLC systems, and design or modify software applications and technical code to support automation improvements.
• Lead and implement projects to enhance automation throughput, establish and maintain technical standards, and stay current on material handling automation systems.
• Work in varied plant environments, including indoor and outdoor conditions, elevated platforms, and confined spaces; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted while adhering to all safety and environmental guidelines.
• Build a strong understanding of plant processes to effectively support all operational areas.
  
  
  

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering Practice (Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical preferred)
• 5+ years of hands-on Automation/Controls industrial experience, with a strong commitment to safe work practices
• Thorough understanding of electrical/controls engineering, including safety standards and regulatory compliance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• PLC and HMI programming experience
• Knowledge in pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, electrical circuits, electrical machinery, and human-machine interfaces
• Understanding of basic electrical assembly and wiring, with a focus on safe installation and operation
  
  
  

TRAVEL:

• 30-40%

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering and Information Technology

• Industries

  Food and Beverage Manufacturing

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