Automation & Controls Leader: Plant Reliability & Innovation

PepsiCo

Oakland (CA)

On-site

USD 88,000 - 148,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off & parental leave

Job summary

PepsiCo is seeking an Automation & Controls Leader to own plant automation strategy, reliability, and continuous improvement of control systems across manufacturing sites. You will ensure safe, efficient operation and guide regional automation directions with engineering, IT/OT, and operations teams.

This role requires deep PLC, HMI, SCADA, and cybersecurity knowledge, plus proven leadership across multiple sites and end‑to‑end project management.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
5 years Automation and Controls Leadership experience.
Proven experience leading automation/controls in a manufacturing environment.
Strong expertise in PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture.
Experience managing automation projects end‑to‑end.
Ability to influence across multiple sites and functions.
Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity and OT/IT integration.
Leadership experience with technical teams.
Strong problem‑solving skills in high‑availability environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary in‑plant authority for automation and control systems.
Ensure peak 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/software lifecycle, upgrades, and mitigation plans.
Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and handoff.
Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Operations to ensure seamless execution.
Diagnose and resolve complex automation and controls issues.
Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support to sister plants within the pod.
Coach and develop automation technicians across sites.
Partner with Technical Services Managers to elevate automation capability and standardization.