Controls & Automation Engineer

ManpowerGroup; Jonesboro (AR); On-site; USD 58,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision plans

Health Savings Account/FSAs

Life Insurance / Disability insurance

401(k) with match

Weekly pay

Job summary

ManpowerGroup is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to join a consumer packaged goods client’s team in Jonesboro, AR. The role leads automation strategy, oversees PLCs and HMI systems, and mentors controls technicians, with ownership of plant control infrastructure.

You will drive reliability improvements, perform downtime analysis, and collaborate with OT/IT teams on cybersecurity and data capabilities, supporting capital projects and modernization efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive controls and automation experience in FMCG/CPG or high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing controls technicians, automation resources, contractors, and technical teams.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting expertise (Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, SFC).
• Experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, HMIs, drives, motion control, safety).
• Experience supporting motor controls, instrumentation, robotics, machine vision, packaging equipment, and process automation.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networking and controls infrastructure (Ethernet/IP, AS-i, DeviceNet, managed switches, PLC/HMI communications).

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, controls, and digital systems strategy to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, safety, and efficiency.
• Analyze downtime and performance data; lead root cause investigations; implement corrective actions.
• Own and maintain plant control systems (PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, vision, instrumentation, networking).
• Lead, coach, and develop controls technicians and automation resources; establish standards and training.
• Support capital projects and factory modernization (design, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, upgrades).
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, IT, and Digital teams to strengthen OT/IT and data capabilities; improve cybersecurity.

Skills

PLC programming

Team leadership

Root cause analysis

Automation strategy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Controls/Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

ControlLogix/Studio 5000

FactoryTalk

HMIs

Motion control

Safety systems

Job description

Our client, consumer packaged goods industry, is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to join their team. The ideal candidate will have strong PLC and automation expertise, leadership experience, and a proven track record in high-speed manufacturing environments.

Job Title: Controls & Automation Engineer

Location: Jonesboro AR

Contract: 6 Months (extension possible)

Pay Range: $42 - $48 hourly

What's the Job?

• Lead the site's automation, controls, and digital systems strategy to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.

• Drive automation reliability and loss elimination by analyzing downtime and performance data, leading root cause investigations, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.

• Own and maintain plant control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, vision systems, instrumentation, and industrial network infrastructure.

• Lead, coach, and develop controls technicians and automation resources while establishing technical standards, training programs, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support capital projects and factory modernization efforts, including controls design, FAT/SAT testing, commissioning, startup support, and automation upgrades.

• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, IT, and Digital teams to strengthen OT/IT systems, enhance manufacturing data capabilities, improve cybersecurity, and ensure reliable production technology infrastructure.

What's Needed?

• Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

• 10+ years of progressive controls and automation experience in FMCG, CPG, or high-speed manufacturing environments.

• Proven leadership experience managing controls technicians, automation resources, contractors, and technical teams.

• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting expertise, including Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, and Sequential Function Charts (SFC).

• Extensive hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms, including ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, HMIs, drives, motion control, and safety systems.

• Experience supporting motor controls, instrumentation, robotics, machine vision systems, packaging equipment, and process automation.

• Strong knowledge of industrial networking and controls infrastructure, including Ethernet/IP, AS-i, DeviceNet, managed switches, PLC/HMI communications, and virtualized environments.

What's in it for me?

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans/Dental Plan/Vision Plan

• Health Savings Account/Health Flexible Spending Account/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

• Supplemental Life Insurance/Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance/Business Travel Insurance

• 401(k), Plus Match

• Weekly Pay

ManpowerGroup is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in a professional, high quality work environment. It is the policy of ManpowerGroup and all of its subsidiaries to recruit, train, promote, transfer, pay and take all employment actions without regard to an employee's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.