Automation & Controls Engineer - Food & Beverage

SolveNow Inc.; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering solutions firm based in Kansas City is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer for the food and beverage sector. You will deliver engineering solutions, oversee both small and large-scale projects, and collaborate with diverse teams. The ideal candidate holds a relevant bachelor's degree and has over three years of experience in electrical engineering, particularly in automation and EPC environments. This role offers the chance to mentor team members and engage in technical challenges while ensuring compliance to standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree from an ABET-accredited program.
• 3+ years of electrical engineering experience, preferably with EPC and Automation & Controls.
• Must obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with company and site safety standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams on engineering solutions.
• Lead commissioning and startup of automation systems.

Skills

Engineering techniques and standards

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Critical thinking skills

Ability to mentor team members

Education

Bachelor's degree in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering

Master's in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Microsoft Office

PLCs

SCADA

MES platforms

Job description

About the job Automation & Controls Engineer - Food & Beverage

Position Overview

The Automation & Controls Engineer will be responsible for delivering automation and controls engineering solutions on projects ranging from small system upgrades to large-scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) initiatives. Work spans all phases of execution front-end engineering, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and startup. Assignments may include stand‑alone controls projects or full EPC automation and controls efforts in industries such as food and beverage, consumer products, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, aerospace, and general manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with company and site safety standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams including engineers, specialists, designers, and project managers.
• Develop and implement software deliverables such as PLC/HMI programming, Batch, MES, servers, and virtualization.
• Lead commissioning and startup of automation systems.
• Prepare controls design documents including I/O lists, control narratives, hardware designs, layouts, and installation details.
• Create electrical design deliverables for 480VAC and below, including installation drawings and conductor schedules.
• Specify control panels and equipment, oversee vendor progress, and lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).
• Apply process instrumentation knowledge (temperature, pressure, flow, level, analyzers, valves) to select appropriate technologies.
• Review P&IDs with process engineers to define project controls scope.
• Perform calculations, design verification, studies, and technical reports.
• Coordinate deliverables with offsite design offices and track progress.
• Conduct quality reviews of design submittals to ensure compliance with standards and codes.
• Support construction teams on contracts and field execution.
• Monitor budgets and progress of controls deliverables.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and vendors.
• Mentor and guide less experienced team members.
• Support proposals, estimates, and development of department standards.
• Assist with field‑related installation issues, testing, inspections, and commissioning activities.
• Travel to project sites as needed (approximately 30%).

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program; FE exam completion; and 3+ years of electrical engineering experience (EPC and Automation & Controls preferred).
• Masters in Electrical Engineering with 4+ years experience (preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (preferred).
• Must have or be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
• Strong knowledge of engineering techniques and standards (ANSI, IEEE, NFPA, ISA, IEC, UL, ISO13849, ISA/IEC 61511).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and engineering tools.
• Strong communication, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Experience leading project designs, delegating work, and reviewing detailed engineering deliverables.
• Ability to mentor team members, coordinate workloads, and travel as required.

Preferred Experience

• Broad knowledge of automation and control systems: PLC, SCADA, SIS, BMS, DCS.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell and Siemens platforms (GE, Modicon, Opto22, Mitsubishi, Triconex a plus).
• Familiarity with SCADA tools (FactoryTalk, Wonderware, Ignition).
• Experience with MES platforms (PTC ThingWorx, Ignition/Sepasoft, Parsec TrakSYS).
• Knowledge of PlantPAX, PackML, and tools such as SISTEMA, CCW, IAB, BatchSIM, and PlantSIM.
• Experience with machine safety risk assessments (ISO13849 compliance).
• Process safety and SIF/SIS design compliance (ISA/IEC 61511).