Controls Engineer

BrightFarms; Kendall Township (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

BrightFarms is seeking a Controls Engineer to support and enhance automation across its hydroponic greenhouse operations. The role is site-based with travel to multiple facilities, ensuring optimal performance of environmental control, irrigation, harvesting, and packaging systems.

You will design, develop, and maintain control systems, program PLCs and HMIs, and integrate sensors and IoT devices. Strong collaboration with engineering, maintenance, and operations teams is essential, with 5 years

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar).
• Familiarity with HMI/SCADA systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work across mechanical, electrical, and software systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control systems for automated equipment and processes including packaging automation and greenhouse growing infrastructure.
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Develop electrical schematics, panel layouts, and I/O lists.
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and IoT devices into centralized control systems.
• Work closely with engineering, support teams, and manufacturing to assure on-time delivery of options, modifications and new designs.
• Travel to sites and support commissioning as needed.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Electrical systems

Industrial automation

Communication

Travel ready

Education

Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Schneider Electric

HMI/SCADA tools

Job description

At BrightFarms, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the way leafy greens are grown. But we don’t just want to grow great tasting greens, we want them to do good as well: for the planet, for the health of people, and for the well-being of our employees. We give BrightFarmers the tools, training, support, and opportunities they need to do better for themselves and the world every day. Because when you do good for your people, they do good for the world.

BrightFarms is a national leader in the booming indoor farming industry, transforming how produce is grown and delivered with its expanding network of eight high-tech, sustainable hydroponic farms. From seed to leaf we grow lettuce smarter, with less space, no pesticides and protected inside, so it’s better for the planet and way better for humans. BrightFarms' fresh lettuce options, from classic greens to crunchy mixes and salad kits, are available in more than 4,500 retail stores across the East Coast, Midwest, and South.

We are seeking a Controls Engineer to support and enhance automation systems across our hydroponic lettuce greenhouse operations. This is a site based and traveling role that spans growing systems, facility infrastructure, and packaging equipment, ensuring optimal performance, efficiency, and product quality from seed to shipment.The ideal candidate will help design, maintain, and improve control systems that integrate environmental controls, irrigation, harvesting, and automated packaging processes. Experience with agricultural controls systems is preferred.

Specifically, you will:

Control System Design & Development

• Design and develop control systems for automated equipment and processes including packaging automation and greenhouse growing infrastructure
• Program and configure PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems
• Develop electrical schematics, panel layouts, and I/O lists
• Integrate sensors, actuators, and IoT devices into centralized control systems
• Work closely with all engineering groups, support teams, and manufacturing, to assure accurate integration and on time completion of options, modifications and new designs

Programming & Integration

• Write, test, and debug PLC programs using ladder logic, structured text, or function block
• Integrate control systems with robotics, motion control, and third-party equipment
• Support MES or higher-level system integration when applicable

Troubleshooting & Support

• Travel or provide remote support to one of our three sites (TX, GA, IL) or future farms to diagnose and resolve control system issues in a timely manner
• Participate in a 24 hour on-call rotation with other team members to support farms during night and weekend shifts
• Provide technical support to maintenance and operations teams
• Participate in root cause analysis and implement corrective actions
• Maintain system backups and documentation
• Create documentation for new controls systems and processes
• Lead or support commissioning of new equipment and system upgrades
• Independently set milestones, budgets, and timelines for project execution
• Effectively communicate project health and changes in status to leadership team members and aid in adjusting master schedule priorities
• Coordinate and communicate with vendors to support system integration, procurement, and troubleshooting activities
• Monitors assigned project status and reports progress and obstacles to management as required to complete tasks on schedule and within budget
• Validate system performance through testing and troubleshooting
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, and safety
• Implement upgrades and modifications to existing control systems

The Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience with PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)
• Familiarity with HMI/SCADA systems
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong understanding of electrical systems and industrial automation principles
• Ability to work across mechanical, electrical, and software systems
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a wide range of groups and individuals
• Proactively communicate delays, concerns, and critical issues to appropriate stakeholders
• Based on site 2-3 days per week at one of our existing facilities (Macon, GA; Yorkville, IL; or Lorena, TX) with routine travel to the other two facilities
• 50%-75% travel
• 5 years in industrial automation or controls engineering

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with agricultural or greenhouse control systems
• Experience with multiple PLC platforms, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and other industrial automation systems
• Knowledge of environmental control systems such as Hoogendorn, Priva and greenhouse HVAC, irrigation, fertigation systems
• Experience with industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, etc.)
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, structured text, ladder logic)
• Exposure to robotics or automated packaging systems
• Combination of greenhouse (warm, humid) and industrial production settings
• Hands-on work with equipment, control panels, and field devices
• May require occasional off-hours support for critical systems