Automation Engineer

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc.; Milbank (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Queen Cheese Factory, Inc. seeks an Automation Engineer to design, implement, and maintain plant automation systems that improve throughput, food safety, and product quality.

The role requires PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise in a food manufacturing setting and a strong hygiene-design mindset. Responsibilities include leading automation projects through startup, collaborating with production, maintenance, and quality teams, and ensuring FDA/USDA, HACCP, FSMA and GMP compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in electrical engineering/automation in food processing is preferred.
• Experience with PLC programming, HMI, and SCADA systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute large-scale automation projects from start to finish.
• Safe operation and code changes for automated systems, including hazardous processes.
• Train and support automation technicians.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and robotics for food processing.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance and quality teams to optimize processes.
• Ensure compliance with FDA/USDA/HACCP/FSMA and GMPs.
• Support commissioning and validation of new equipment.
• Maintain electrical schematics, control logic, and manuals.
• Monitor performance and reduce downtime.
• Be part of the emergency response team and adhere to safety policies.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

HMI development

SCADA systems

Troubleshooting

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Technical degree in automation (optional)

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI design

SCADA software

Industrial networking

Job description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining automated systems that enhance production efficiency, food safety, and product quality. The ideal candidate will have experience in industrial automation within food manufacturing environments and a strong understanding of regulatory compliance and hygienic design principles.

Essential Functions

• Design and execute large-scale, complex automation projects from start to finish. Project design and execution includes but is not limited to: AutoCAD panel layouts, panel build out, PLC programming, HMI screen development, alarm development with server deployment, I/O system verification, and full startup support.


• Responsible for safe operation and code changes for automated systems, including those related to processes that involve hazardous chemicals, environmental and safety.


• Responsible for training and support of automation technicians.


• Troubleshoot automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and robotics tailored for food processing applications.


• Collaborate with production, maintenance, and quality teams to identify automation opportunities and optimize existing processes.


• Ensure all automation solutions comply with food safety regulatory agencies (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, FSMA) and hygienic design requirements. Understand and adhere to all GMPs.


• Support commissioning and validation of new equipment and automation projects.


• Maintain accurate documentation including electrical schematics, control logic, and system manuals.


• Monitor system performance and implement improvements to reduce downtime and increase throughput.


• Ensure 100 percent accuracy when signing out spare parts and other parts related transactions.


• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory changes affecting food automation.


• In the event of power outages or plant start-ups, employees must be able to restore HMI network for the plant and ensure all PLCs are communicating in a prioritized manner. Employees must be able to utilize all PLC programs to assist all departments in start-ups.


• Understand and adhere to all PSM requirements and must be a member of the emergency response team.


• Always comply with all company safety policies to achieve no job-related injuries or lost time accidents.


• Attend and complete required safety and quality training sessions by the assigned deadlines.


• Technical Capacity


• Problem Solving/Analysis


• Time Management/Initiative

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

This job operates in an office, shop and plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. Exposed to extreme temperature variations. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands

Please refer to the separate functional job description for this position.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. This position works 9-hour shifts Monday through Friday which includes some holidays. This position is part of an on-call rotation.

Travel

Less than five percent travel expected for this position.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications

Bachelor’s degree and/or 5+ years in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation, or related field. Technical degree and/or 10+ years of experience in automation engineering, preferably in food or beverage manufacturing. Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley), HMI development, and SCADA systems. Familiarity with hygienic design standards and food-grade automation components. Strong understanding of industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, etc.). Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills. Knowledge of safety and compliance standards such as NFPA 70E, OSHA, and GMP.

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications

Experience with robotics, vision systems, and automated packaging lines. Knowledge of MES systems, and data analytics for process optimization. Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

Minimum age requirement is 18. Must possess or be able to obtain a valid and appropriate state driver’s license prior to employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.