Automation Engineer

Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Life Insurance

Disability Coverage

Employee discounts on Baldor products

Commuter Benefits

Career growth and development

Job summary

Baldor Specialty Foods, Inc. is seeking an Automation Engineer I to join our warehouse automation team in New York.

The role focuses on PLC/SCADA support, conveyor systems, and pick-to-light platforms, with emphasis on structured troubleshooting and clear documentation. You will learn hands-on through shadowing senior engineers, build a strong foundation in PLCs, SCADA, WCS, and SQL, and support projects from testing to go-live checks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, mechatronics, or related field.
• 0–3 years in automation, controls, or maintenance engineering; co-ops and internships count.
• Experience with PLC/HMI, ladder logic, wiring diagrams, and basic electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Monitor conveyor control interfaces, PLCs, and SCADA dashboards during operations.
• Troubleshoot basic conveyor, PLC, and pick-to-light issues using runbooks.
• Escalate unresolved issues with clear notes on observations and actions taken.
• Document fault events with timestamps, codes, conditions, and resolutions.
• Support automation projects, testing, punch lists, and post-go-live checks.
• Update logs, as-built drawings, and engineering records as directed.
• Build working knowledge of PLCs, SCADA, WCS, and SQL.
• Shadow senior engineers on complex investigations.

Skills

PLC/HMI basics

SQL basics

Structured troubleshooting

Documentation habits

Live warehouse environment

Mechanical inclination

Attention to detail

Clear communicator

Eager to learn

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Mechatronics

Controls Engineering

Tools

Ignition SCADA

WCS

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Job description

Position Overview

The Automation Engineer I is the entry point to Baldor’s automation engineering track. This role supports conveyor systems, PLC and SCADA infrastructure, pick-to-light platforms, and related warehouse automation systems. Success means responding reliably to faults, following SOPs, and documenting work clearly so others can use it. You are expected to try structured troubleshooting before escalating and to build a strong technical foundation through hands-on experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor conveyor control interfaces, PLCs, and SCADA dashboards during operational hours.
• Troubleshoot basic conveyor, PLC, and pick-to-light issues using runbooks and documentation.
• Escalate unresolved issues with clear notes on what was observed and what was tried.
• Document fault events with timestamps, fault codes, conditions, and resolution steps.
• Support automation projects, testing, punch list tracking, and post-go-live checks.
• Update logs, as-builts, and engineering records when directed.
• Build working knowledge of PLCs, SCADA, WCS, and SQL.
• Shadow senior engineers on complex investigations.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or related field.

Experience: 0–3 years in automation, controls, or maintenance engineering. Co-ops, internships, and hands-on academic projects with automation systems are considered.

Core Skills:

• Basic understanding of PLC/HMI systems, control panels, and electromechanical components
• Able to read wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and basic electrical schematics
• Basic SQL skills
• Structured troubleshooting mindset
• Strong documentation habits
• Comfortable in a live warehouse environment
• Mechanically inclined
• Attention to detail
• Clear communicatorEager to learn

Preferred Qualifications

• Exposure to Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs
• Experience with conveyors, sorters, or goods-to-person systems
• Familiarity with SCADA systems such as Ignition
• Experience with pick-to-light hardware
• Coursework in motor controls, VFDs, or sensor integration

Work Environment & Schedule

• Active food distribution center environment, including refrigerated and ambient areas
• Monday–Friday schedule, with occasional evening or weekend support
• Rotating on-call support may be required
• PPE required in certain areas; training provided

About Baldor

Since our beginnings as part of the iconic Greenwich Village retail store, Balducci’s, Baldor has upheld its original promise—to curate and deliver the finest ingredients from around the world. For more than 30 years, we have supported the food industry using cutting-edge logistics, a modern supply chain, and an unwavering commitment to service. Today, we are the trusted distribution partner for top hotels, restaurants, country clubs, hospitals, nursing homes, and culinary professionals across the region.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: Vacation, sick time, paid company holidays & floating holidays
• Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Company-Paid Life Insurance
• Company-Paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee discounts on Baldor products
• Commuter Benefits
• Career growth and development opportunities

Note: Benefits may vary based on position and employment status.

Join Our Team

If you want to make an impact at a rapidly growing organization, we’d love to meet you and help shape the future of specialty food distribution with Baldor.