Automation & Controls Lead - Plant & Regional Impact

PepsiCo; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 94,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Job summary

PepsiCo is seeking an Automation & Controls Lead for its Orlando plant to serve as the technical authority for automation, controls, and factory network systems. You will drive safety, reliability, and continuous improvement while aligning automation strategy with site goals and collaborating across Engineering, IT/OT, and Operations.

You will lead end-to-end automation projects, manage lifecycle and cybersecurity, and coach technicians to raise automation maturity across facilities in the pod.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience leading automation/controls in a manufacturing environment.
• 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience with technical teams.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture.
• Experience leading automation projects end to end.
• Ability to influence across multiple sites and functions.
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity and OT/IT integration.
• Indefinite U.S. work authorization.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary in-plant leader for automation and control systems.
• Ensure high performance and reliability of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, drives, and industrial networks.
• Align automation strategy with plant goals for safety, quality, productivity, and cost.
• Own factory floor network design, performance, cybersecurity posture, and obsolescence planning.
• Manage hardware and software lifecycle, including upgrades and mitigation plans.
• Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and operational handoff.
• Deliver projects on time, within scope, and aligned with technical standards.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Operations to ensure seamless execution.
• Diagnose and resolve complex automation and controls issues.
• Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for automation related downtime.
• Deploy automation solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and safety.
• Maintain automation standards, documentation, and change management processes.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, safety requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Support audits and system validation activities.
• Provide technical support and leadership to sister plants within the assigned pod.
• Coach and develop automation technicians across sites through capability building and knowledge sharing.
• Partner with Technical Services Managers to strengthen automation maturity across the region.

Skills

Leadership

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

PLCs

HMIs

SCADA

Industrial networks

Job description

PepsiCo is seeking an Automation & Controls Lead for its Orlando plant to serve as the technical authority for automation, controls, and factory network systems. You will drive safety, reliability, and continuous improvement while aligning automation strategy with site goals and collaborating across Engineering, IT/OT, and Operations.

You will lead end-to-end automation projects, manage lifecycle and cybersecurity, and coach technicians to raise automation maturity across facilities in the pod.