Controls Engineer

Gehl-Food-; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Growth opportunities

Team culture

Referral bonus

Tuition reimbursement

HSA option

Perks at Work

Company growth opportunities

Job summary

Gehl-Food- is seeking a Controls Engineer to optimize aseptic filling and processing lines and to support electrical controls for manufacturing assets in California. You will design, program, test, troubleshoot, and refine control systems in collaboration with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.

The role requires a bachelor’s in electrical engineering and 4–6 years in manufacturing, with hands-on PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise and knowledge of safety standards and food processing

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent experience.
• 4–6 years of relevant technical/operational manufacturing experience.
• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging (2+ years), preferably Tetra Pak.
• Proficiency with PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell), HMI, and SCADA (Ignition, Wonderware).
• Knowledge of motion control, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, and vision inspection systems (Cognex, Keyence).
• Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment, including off-hours support as needed.
• Understanding of food processing/packaging operations, FDA regulations, NFPA 70/70E/78 standards.
• AutoCAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide machine support including safety controllers, PLCs, HMIs, robots, motion control, measurement systems, instrumentation, and data collection systems.
• Work with plant electrical controls standards and change management for initiatives.
• Schedule and manage upgrades; oversee overhauls and conversions of aseptic lines.
• Provide training on operation and maintenance of filling/processing lines.
• Participate in after-hours support for engineering groups on a rotating basis.

Skills

PLC programming (AB/Rockwell)

HMI systems

SCADA platforms (Ignition/Wonderware)

Motion control

VFDs & safety hardware

Robotics

Vision systems (Cognex/Keyence)

AutoCAD

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Equivalent technical experience

Tools

Tetra Pak equipment

Ignition

Wonderware

Job description

Description

Now Hiring: Controls Engineer
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Salary Range: 110K - 130K

Why join our team?

• Full benefits package – medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match
• Generous PTO & holidays
• Growth opportunities to expand skillsets and enhance career
• Amazing team & culture focused on:

Communication | Community Involvement | Wellness | Employee Activities

Other Benefits & Programs We Offer:

• Referral bonus program
• Tuition reimbursement
• HSA Medical plan option with annual company contribution
• Perks at Work – discounts on shopping, travel & more
• Proven continued business growth for future opportunities

Position Overview

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Controls Engineer analyzes plant processes and supports the control, optimization, and reliability of production assets. Responsibilities include designing, programming, testing, and troubleshooting aseptic filling and processing lines and material-handling systems.

As part of a cross-functional team, this role provides technical support and implements enhancements for aseptic manufacturing systems with a focus on safety and quality. The Controls Engineer serves as an electrical controls resource for equipment development and troubleshooting and works closely with engineering, operations, and maintenance to meet production needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide machine support including but not limited to safety controllers, PLC's, HMI's, robots, motion control, measurement systems, instrumentation, material handling systems, industrial networks, and computer system hardware/software application support for MES and data collection systems.
• Perform work utilizing plant electrical controls standards.
• Work with the Change Management Process for the overall implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of company initiatives.
• Schedule and manage upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines.
• Provide training in the operation and maintenance of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines
• Participate in after-hours support for engineering groups on a rotating basis.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent technical experience)
• 4–6 years of relevant technical/operational experience in manufacturing or production environments
• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging systems (minimum 2 years), preferably Tetra Pak equipment
• Proficiency with PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell), HMI systems, and SCADA platforms (Ignition, Wonderware)
• Knowledge of motion control, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence)
• Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment, including off-hours support as needed
• Understanding of food processing/packaging operations, FDA regulations, and NFPA 70/70E/78 standards
• AutoCAD experience