Automation Controls Engineer for Food Manufacturing Growth

Cérélia North America; Hazelwood (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cérélia North America in Hazelwood, MO is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to maintain and improve plant control systems across PLC, HMI, VFD, and SCADA platforms. You will lead controls integration for new equipment and capital projects, support FAT/SAT activities, and collaborate with OEMs to drive downtime reduction and process optimization.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in a related field or equivalent experience, 5+ years in manufacturing controls, and strong PLC/HMI/SCADA

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of controls engineering experience in manufacturing (food/CPG preferred).
• Proficient in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell strongly preferred).
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems (FactoryTalk, Wonderware, or similar).
• Strong knowledge of industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Modbus) and drives/motors.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical and controls-related issues to minimize downtime and support production needs.
• Own and support all plant control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and SCADA systems.
• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC and HMI programs to improve equipment performance and reliability.
• Support and lead controls integration for new equipment and capital projects (FAT/SAT, startup, commissioning).
• Standardize controls architecture and documentation across the plant; update electrical schematics and network layouts.
• Collaborate with OEMs and vendors to troubleshoot, upgrade, and improve systems.
• Ensure backups and version control of all PLC/HMI programs; support OT network connectivity.
• Train maintenance personnel on controls troubleshooting and system understanding.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networks

Electrical systems

Troubleshooting

Capital projects

Electrical schematics

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

FactoryTalk

Wonderware

Plex

Job description

Cérélia North America in Hazelwood, MO is seeking a highly motivated Controls Engineer to maintain and improve plant control systems across PLC, HMI, VFD, and SCADA platforms. You will lead controls integration for new equipment and capital projects, support FAT/SAT activities, and collaborate with OEMs to drive downtime reduction and process optimization.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in a related field or equivalent experience, 5+ years in manufacturing controls, and strong PLC/HMI/SCADA