Automation Engineer

Kerry; Bethlehem (Northampton County); On-site; USD 70,000 - 109,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Employee Share Plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Kerry is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead design, development, and deployment of advanced automation across manufacturing and operations. The role requires expertise in PLC/SCADA/HMI, robotics integration, and system integration to improve safety, productivity, and reliability.

The successful candidate will mentor engineers and technicians, document control logic and configurations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver compliant, high-performance automation on the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of industrial automation engineering in manufacturing or similar environment.
• Proficiency with PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Siemens) and SCADA systems (Siemens WinCC, Ignition).
• Strong knowledge of control systems, instrumentation, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and cybersecurity for industrial systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to resolve complex issues quickly.
• Proven leadership: mentoring, managing projects from concept to completion.
• Strong communication across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and deployment of automation solutions, including PLC, SCADA, HMI, and robotics systems.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to assess process needs and develop automation strategies that improve productivity and quality.
• Program, test, and troubleshoot automation equipment to ensure reliable operation and integration with existing systems.
• Create clear documentation for automation processes, control logic, and system configurations.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers and technicians on the production floor with Maintenance.
• Perform system validation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of automation infrastructure.
• Monitor emerging automation technologies and recommend solutions that strengthen operational capabilities.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations throughout design and implementation.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/WinCC/Ignition

HMI development

Industrial cybersecurity

Industrial networks (Ethernet/IP/Modus

Leadership/mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Siemens WinCC

Ignition

HMI development tools

Job description

Kerry is the world's leading taste and nutrition company for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Every day we partner with customers to create healthier, tastier and more sustainable products that are consumed by billions of people across the world. Our vision is to be our customers' most valued partner, creating a world of sustainable nutrition. A career with Kerry offers you an opportunity to shape the future of food while providing you opportunities to explore and grow in a truly global environment.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced automation systems across manufacturing and operations. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in automation technology, programming, and system integration to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability. This role offers the opportunity to support innovative projects in a fast-paced environment while contributing to the company’s growth and technical advancement.

Key responsibilities

Lead the design and deployment of automation solutions, including PLC, SCADA, HMI, and robotics systems.

Partner with cross-functional teams to assess process needs and develop automation strategies that improve productivity and quality.

Program, test, and troubleshoot automation equipment to ensure reliable operation and integration with existing systems.

Create clear documentation for automation processes, control logic, and system configurations.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Engineers and technicians being able to work on the production floor hand in hand with the Maintenance team.

Perform system validation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance of automation infrastructure.

Monitor emerging automation technologies and recommend solutions that strengthen operational capabilities.

Ensure compliance with safety standards and industry regulations throughout system design and implementation.

Qualifications and skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Typically, 5+ years of industrial automation engineering experience in manufacturing or a similar environment.
• Proficiency with PLC programming, including Allen-Bradley and Siemens, as well as SCADA systems (Siemens WinCC, Ignition, HMI development.
• Strong knowledge of control systems, instrumentation, industrial network protocols such as Ethernet/IP and Modbus, and cybersecurity principles for industrial systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to resolve complex technical issues quickly and effectively.
• Proven leadership skills, including experience mentoring team members and managing projects from concept through completion.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. This role is key to advancing automation capabilities while maintaining high standards for safety and quality across operations.

The pay range for this position is $70,100 - $109,050 in Annual Salary. Kerry typically does not hire an individual at the top or near the top of the range, as we are a pay-for-performance company, and this range is set to continue to reward performance annually while in role. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The specific compensation offered to a candidate within the above range may be influenced by a variety of factors including skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition, this position is also eligible to earn a performance-based incentive compensation. Kerry offers a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, a 401(k) plan with employee and company contribution opportunities, Employee Share Plan, Life, disability, and accident insurance, and tuition reimbursement. This job posting is anticipated to expire on 9/30/26

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Kerry is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, military service, veteran status or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. This commitment applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, training, and career development. Kerry also takes affirmative action to ensure that minorities, women, disabled veterans, and other protected groups are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.