Automation & Controls Project Engineer

Unilever; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 89,000 - 133,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Unilever in Chicago is seeking a Controls & Automation Project Engineer to lead automation initiatives across manufacturing operations. You will design, implement, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and digital factory systems while partnering with operations, maintenance, quality, and supply chain.

The role emphasizes capital projects, cyber security, and industry 4.0 practices, with responsibilities spanning commissioning, validation, and data-driven improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation engineering or related discipline.
• 3–7 years in industrial automation, controls engineering, or project engineering.
• Experience in food, beverage, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, or related industries.
• Proven track record managing automation-related capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, VFD, servo, and motion control systems.
• Develop automation standards and control philosophies for manufacturing processes.
• Lead commissioning, startup, FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ, and validation activities.
• Support factory automation infrastructure including networking, remote access, and architecture.
• Improve process performance through advanced controls and automation technologies.
• Manage automation projects from concept through startup and handover.
• Create project schedules, budgets, and resource plans; coordinate contractors and stakeholders.
• Deliver projects on time, in full, and within approved budgets.

Skills

PLC Programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

Instrumentation

Electrical troubleshooting

VFDs & MCC

Project management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or related technical discipline

Tools

FactoryTalk View

FactoryTalk Batch

FactoryTalk AssetCentre

OSI PI

Robotics and vision inspection systems

SQL databases

Power BI

PowerApps

Job description

Unilever in Chicago is seeking a Controls & Automation Project Engineer to lead automation initiatives across manufacturing operations. You will design, implement, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and digital factory systems while partnering with operations, maintenance, quality, and supply chain.

The role emphasizes capital projects, cyber security, and industry 4.0 practices, with responsibilities spanning commissioning, validation, and data-driven improvements.