Automation & Controls Engineer — Food Plant Excellence

Schwan's Company; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is hiring an Automation and Controls Engineer for our new Sioux Falls facility. You will lead automation and control projects across production, packaging, and facility systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

The role requires a engineering degree, ABET preferred, and at least 5 years in automation/Electrical engineering in manufacturing. Competitive Total Rewards with health benefits and a 10% annual incentive bonus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering required, ABET-accredited program preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Automation, Controls, or Electrical Engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading automation projects from concept through implementation and startup.
• Food manufacturing, beverage manufacturing, or CPG industry experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Automation

Controls

Electrical Eng

PLC programming

HMI design

SCADA

Industrial networks

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

ABET-accredited program preferred

Job description

CJ Schwan’s is hiring an Automation and Controls Engineer for our new Sioux Falls facility. You will lead automation and control projects across production, packaging, and facility systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

The role requires a engineering degree, ABET preferred, and at least 5 years in automation/Electrical engineering in manufacturing. Competitive Total Rewards with health benefits and a 10% annual incentive bonus.